MontanaHB 88269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise alcohol laws

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Stricter sourcing rules and penalties for licensees

Beginning June 1, 2025, licensees must only sell or keep liquor bought from an agency liquor store or transferred as allowed by law. Violations can bring a $500 to $1,500 fine, 3 months to 1 year in jail, or both. The department must revoke the license if it finds the liquor was knowingly sold or kept for sale.

More places to serve at hotels, golf, ranches

Beginning June 1, 2025, licensed hotels and ski hills may add up to two separate service structures. Pools may add a permanent structure. Golf courses may sell from the clubhouse, one extra building per nine holes with approval and a fee, and from portable carts. People may drink anywhere inside golf course boundaries. Guest ranches may serve outdoors any time and inside up to three permanent buildings during legal hours; a floorplan is required. Guest ranches may use tents, yurts, RVs, and similar structures for service inside the approved outdoor area. You must pay $100 per extra licensed service area and $100 per added guest‑ranch building.

More resort licenses and flexible sales

Beginning June 1, 2025, the department issues 1 resort retail license for the first 100 accommodation units and 1 more for each additional 50, once required recreational facilities are completed. Large resorts can receive up to 10 licenses (500+ acres and $20 million value) or up to 25 (2,000+ acres and $40 million). Resort retail licenses are not subject to city quota limits and can be moved or sold inside the resort. Licensees may allow guests to drink alcohol bought from another licensed place in the same resort, offer curbside pickup from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and deliver or prestock rooms with a $100 application and age checks. Employees who sell, serve, or deliver alcohol must complete the state training. Each resort area is capped at 20 gambling machine permits, and licensees outside quota areas may have only one concession agreement per license. A resort area approved before January 1, 1999 is entitled to one license for a $20,000 fee.

Simpler premises, storage, and shared spaces

Beginning June 1, 2025, licensees may change floorplans if they send the department the new plan within 7 days of starting work; any square‑footage increase needs prior approval. Adequate separation can use doors, gates, or windows, and on‑premises retailers may locate next to a brewery or winery if each keeps control. A licensee may license part of a building and may lease a kitchen or area to a separate business that does not handle alcohol and uses its own register. Noncontiguous storage is allowed with safeguards and a $100 application; kegs and beer lines may run into the service area. In resort areas, eligible licensees may use up to three alternate storage locations or a shared resort storage facility with a $100 application; the shared site is treated as part of each approved license and allows tracked transfers. Public airports may license terminal space for on‑site drinking with safeguards. Licensed retailers may sell and serve beer for on‑site consumption.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Jeremy Trebas
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 247 • No: 49

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 31 • No: 19

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 31 • No: 18

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 7

House vote • 4/4/2025