Montana HB298: Revise local election laws on approval of marijuana businesses

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising local election laws on approval or disapproval of marijuana businesses to provide that a municipal election to approve or disapprove a marijuana business may only be held in a municipality with a certain population; amending section 16-12-301, mca; and providing an immediate effective date and an applicability date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LOCAL ELECTION LAWS ON APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF MARIJUANA BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE THAT A MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE A MARIJUANA BUSINESS MAY ONLY BE HELD IN A MUNICIPALITY WITH A CERTAIN POPULATION; AMENDING SECTION 16-12-301, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 16-12-301, MCA, is amended to read: "16-12-301. Local government authority to regulate -- opt-in requirement in certain counties -- exemption for existing licensees. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a marijuana business may not operate in a county in which the majority of voters voted against approval of Initiative Measure No. 190 in the November 3, 2020, general election until: (i) the category or categories of license that the marijuana business seeks has or have been approved by the local jurisdiction where the marijuana business intends to operate as provided in subsection (3) or (4); and (ii) the business is licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter. (b) A former medical marijuana licensee that does not apply for licensure as an adult-use dispensary may operate in its existing premises in compliance with rules adopted by the department pursuant to 16-12-201(2) notwithstanding a local jurisdiction's failure to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Hinkle, Jedediah (R, 67) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. March 12, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
3. February 26, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
4. January 23, 2025: (H) Hearing
5. January 23, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
6. January 23, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee
7. January 23, 2025: (H) Introduced
8. January 22, 2025: (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
9. January 20, 2025: (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
10. January 18, 2025: (LC) Draft in Assembly

Common questions

What is HB298?

HB298 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise local election laws on approval of marijuana businesses.

What does HB298 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising local election laws on approval or disapproval of marijuana businesses to provide that a municipal election to approve or disapprove a marijuana business may only be held in a municipality with a certain population; amending section 16-12-301, mca; and providing an immediate effective date and an applicability date.".

What is the status of HB298?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB298?

Hinkle, Jedediah (R, 67).

Where is the official record for HB298?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1275