Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB698: Generally revise laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries
Status: Failed, May 22, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries; requiring certain language on a ballot form regarding prohibition of adult-use businesses; and amending section 16-12-301, mca.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES; REQUIRING CERTAIN LANGUAGE ON A BALLOT FORM REGARDING PROHIBITION OF ADULT-USE BUSINESSES; AND AMENDING SECTION 16-12-301, MCA." WHEREAS, House Bill No. 701 (2021) created a mechanism to allow local governments to opt out of recreational marijuana commercial activities otherwise allowed by law and this bill is designed to clarify how that authority should work. 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 …
Sponsors
- Mercer, Bill (R, 52) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Committee
- : (S) Tabled in Committee
- : (S) Hearing
- : (S) Referred to Committee
- : (S) 1st Reading
- : (H) Transmitted to Senate
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 59 yea, 40 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 60 yea, 38 nay, passed
Subjects: Ballot Issues, Alcohol, Local Government
Common questions
- What is HB698?
- HB698 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries.
- What does HB698 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries; requiring certain language on a ballot form regarding prohibition of adult-use businesses; and amending section 16-12-301, mca.".
- What is the status of HB698?
- Failed as of May 22, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Committee (May 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB698?
- Mercer, Bill (R, 52).
- Where is the official record for HB698?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3420
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.