Montana HB86: Generally revise beer wholesaler and table wine laws

What the bill says

An act generally revising alcohol law; generally revising laws related to alcohol wholesalers; creating the beer and table wine distribution act; providing definitions; creating a distributor's license; providing requirements for operation of a distributor's license; providing fees; revising laws relating to beer and table wine distribution; revising laws relating to wineries and distribution of wine; providing for distributor's service obligations…

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING ALCOHOL LAW; GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO ALCOHOL WHOLESALERS; CREATING THE BEER AND TABLE WINE DISTRIBUTION ACT; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; CREATING A DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSE; PROVIDING REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF A DISTRIBUTOR'S LICENSE; PROVIDING FEES; REVISING LAWS RELATING TO BEER AND TABLE WINE DISTRIBUTION; REVISING LAWS RELATING TO WINERIES AND DISTRIBUTION OF WINE; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTOR'S SERVICE OBLIGATIONS; AMENDING SECTIONS 16-1-106, 16-1-303, 16-1-406, 16-1-411, 16-3-101, 16-3-104, 16-3-212, 16-3-214, 16-3-241, 16-3-242, 16-3-243, 16-3-244, 16-3301, 16-3-316, 16-3-321, 16-3-402, 16-3-406, 16-3-411, 16-4-101, 16-4-106, 16-4-107, 16-4-313, 16-4-314, 164-401, 16-4-406, 16-4-407, 16-4-501, AND 16-4-906, MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 16-3-217, 16-3-218, 16-3219, 16-3-220, 16-3-221, 16-3-222, 16-3-223, 16-3-224, 16-3-225, 16-3-226, 16-3-230, 16-3-231, 16-3-232, 163-233, 16-3-234, 16-3-401, 16-3-403, 16-3-404, 16-3-415, 16-3-416, 16-3-417, 16-3-418, 16-3-419, 16-3-420, 16-3-421, AND 16-4-113, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Short title -- public policy -- purpose. (1) [Sections 1 through 20] may be cited as the "Beer and Table Wine Distribution Act". (2) The public policy of the state of Montana is to maintain a system to provide for, regulate, and control the acquisition, importation, and distribution of beer and table wine. (3) The legislature finds and declares that the purpose of [sections 1 through 20] is to assure continued interbrand competition in beer and table wine sales through competing independent distributors and to assure breweries and wineries the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Buttrey, Ed (R, 21) · primary sponsor
• Curdy, Willis (D, 49)

Latest actions

1. May 14, 2025: Chapter Number Assigned
2. May 12, 2025: (H) Signed by Governor
3. May 5, 2025: (H) Transmitted to Governor
4. May 2, 2025: (S) Signed by President
5. May 1, 2025: (H) Signed by Speaker
6. April 25, 2025: (H) Returned from Enrolling
7. April 22, 2025: (H) Sent to Enrolling
8. April 22, 2025: (S) 3rd Reading
9. April 22, 2025: (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
10. April 18, 2025: (S) 2nd Reading

Votes

• Do Concur (April 22, 2025): 42 yea, 8 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 43 yea, 5 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 29, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 28, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB86?

HB86 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise beer wholesaler and table wine laws.

What does HB86 do?

In its own words: An act generally revising alcohol law; generally revising laws related to alcohol wholesalers; creating the beer and table wine distribution act; providing definitions; creating a distributor's license; providing requirements for operation of a distributor's license; providing fees; revising laws relating to beer and table wine distribution; revising laws relating to wineries and distribution of wine; providing for distributor's service obligations…

What is the status of HB86?

Signed into law as of May 14, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 14, 2025).

Who sponsored HB86?

Buttrey, Ed (R, 21), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for HB86?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0201