The Montana House Business and Labor Committee approved HJ 18 this morning by unanimous vote during executive action on the bill.  HJ 18, a proposal originating from the Montana Brewers Association, would create an interim study committee to conduct a thorough examination of Montana’s alcohol laws.  The study’s purpose would be to “identify recommendations to streamline, improve, and update the alcohol licensing system and regulation in the state to meet the needs of the public, including safety, industry, agriculture, tourism, and the state’s economy.”

Amendments crafted by Sponsor Christy Clark with the help of participants of all three tiers of the alcohol system narrowed the list of required participants to help ensure the study remained more focused on issues directly related to manufacturing, distributing and retailing alcohol. The bill now moves to the floor for second reading and discussion/vote by the full House.

During discussion on HB 616, a bill which would significantly change tap room rules and have other effects, Sponsor Roger Hagan handed out a letter from the Montana Tavern Association’s legal counsel countering legal arguments raised during Tuesday’s hearing.  Representative Hagen asked the committee to delay action on his bill, saying “we continue to have some real good dialogue with individual brewers, with individual tavern owners and with individual distributors and I would ask that we delay executive action on this bill until we have our next meeting.”  His use of the word “individual” appeared unquestionably intentional.

Due to Easter weekend break, the next meeting will be Wednesday, April 3.  Hagen anticipates offering amendments at that time. Frankly, the delay will make it difficult, but not impossible, to complete the process before the transmittal deadline by the following Friday.

Rep. Clark mentioned hearing that the Department of Revenue had been asked by the Committee Chair to provide an opinion on the legality of the bill and responded that the Department had concerns about its validity.   However, the chair was absent from the meeting and no confirmation was provided.

For all our articles pertaining to the 2013 Montana Legislature, click here.