MontanaHB 9269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise laws related to alcohol regulation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clearer lending against alcohol licenses

Regulated lenders can take a security interest in a license and use standard loan papers. These papers do not count as hidden ownership if the parties meet licensing rules, and the secured party cannot run the business or share profits beyond loan payments. A filer pays a $30 notice fee with the license number, and the department reviews loan documents before approving a transfer. The department must alert security‑interest filers before revocation, nonrenewal, or lapse moves forward. Lenders do not have to police a coborrower’s or guarantor’s compliance.

Deadlines and steps after loan default

After a loan default, the secured party must tell the department within 7 days. They must apply to transfer the license or place it on nonuse. A transfer must be completed within 180 days; the department may add up to 180 more days for good cause. The department can grant temporary operating rights, but operating more than 7 days without that authority is a violation. If owners, coborrowers, or guarantors make payments, the payer must be vetted (for owners), the deal must be in writing, and the licensee must notify the department within 90 days and say if it is a loan or equity.

New sourcing rules for beer and wine

Wholesalers cannot sell or give beer to the public. A licensed retailer may buy beer and table wine from another Montana retailer, up to 6 gallons per day, and take it to their own store. The department can penalize retailers who buy these products from out‑of‑state sellers.

Simpler background checks for licenses

Applicants can reuse one background check and fingerprint set for up to 5 years if they have no new criminal charges. For publicly traded companies, only an officer and the location manager must give fingerprints and a background check. Changing your business form without adding new owners does not trigger a new check. The department may have the Department of Justice receive and investigate applications, but only the department decides approvals.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Willis Curdy
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 292 • No: 7

House vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 3

House vote • 1/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 2

House vote • 1/21/2025