MontanaHB 88269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revise alcohol laws

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Flexible premises for breweries and airports

Beginning June 1, 2025, on‑premises retailers may be adjacent to a brewery or winery if each keeps control of its own space with adequate separation. They must secure the areas from each other after hours; doors, gates, or windows can be used, and full walls are not required. Airport licensees may use all or part of the terminal as licensed premises for on‑site drinking if safeguards block public access after hours.

More drink stands at golf, pools, ski hills

Beginning June 1, 2025, golf-course licensees may sell from one extra building per nine holes and from mobile satellites. Guests may drink anywhere inside the course boundaries. Premises with a swimming pool may run a permanent licensed service structure in the pool area. Ski hills may add up to two permanent licensed service structures. Hotels outside an incorporated city or town quota area may add up to two separate licensed service structures on the same property under the same control.

Guest ranch service and premises rules

Beginning June 1, 2025, guest ranch licensees may serve outdoors anytime and in up to three permanent buildings during legal hours. They may use tents, yurts, RVs, and other mobile structures for service inside approved outdoor areas; storage there needs department approval. You must pay $100 for each extra licensed area or building and submit floorplans with applications or alteration requests. If you change a floorplan, send the revised plan within 7 days; get approval before any increase in square footage.

Room delivery and curbside alcohol

Beginning June 1, 2025, licensed retailers in hotels, short‑term lodging, or resort areas may apply to deliver alcohol to guests and prestock rooms, with age verification. The application costs $100. Resort retail all‑beverages licensees may offer curbside pickup from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. in original packaging, prepared servings, or growlers.

Shared and off-site alcohol storage

Beginning June 1, 2025, retailers may apply to use a noncontiguous storage area they control for alcohol, including keg rooms and beer lines. Approval needs security to block public access after hours and a $100 fee. In resort areas with two or more resort licenses, licensees may apply ($100) to use a shared storage facility inside the resort. Deliveries can go there, and approved licensees may transfer product between each other with proper records.

Stricter liquor sourcing, with exceptions

Beginning June 1, 2025, licensees may sell or keep liquor not bought from an agency liquor store only in the specific cases allowed by law. Outside those exceptions, penalties remain: fines from $500 to $1,500, possible jail from 3 months to 1 year, and license revocation for knowing violations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Jeremy Trebas
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 249 • No: 49

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 31 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 32 • No: 18

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 91 • No: 7

House vote • 4/4/2025