Posted On March 19, 2013
Montana Brewers Association continues to resist further limitations to Montana brewers being sought by the Montana Tavern Association in Roger Hagan’s bill LC1429. Though the language still has yet to see the light of day, recent proposals by the MTA would dictate that existing breweries could now purchase beer/wine licenses for $100,000, while at the same time barring brewers from selling their beer on premise if they manufacture over 300 barrels of beer per year without further retail restrictions. Also, new entrants to the market would not have access to these specially released licenses, and current tap room laws would be further limited by requiring all patrons to be out of the building before 8 PM. I guess they have decided that popcorn in sample rooms can stay legal.
Believing all along that there had not been the adequate discussion among the industry members, and with the help and support of Rep. Christy Clark (R-Choteau, and House Majority Whip), we have created a House Joint Resolution 18 which would create a legislative interim study regarding aspects of Montana alcohol control laws involving licensing of retailers, brewers, distributors.The alcohol control system is complex indeed, and time is needed to research these issues and the many alternatives available to the state in order to really move forward with this issue. We believe that taking time to study these complex issues will help us develop comprehensive solutions that Montanans deserve. We have come to realize that in order to bring the members of this industry to the table and have constructive discussions, we will have to do so in this more formal manner with the assistance of the legislature.
Included in HJ18 would be interests from the retailers, distributors, manufacturers, while also taking input from tourism, agriculture, economic development, and regulators. We have found immediate and excellent bipartisan support for HJ18. Furthermore, the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association, and the Restaurant/Retailers Association have also chosen to stand behind this interim study. You can find the language of the resolution and follow its progress through the Capital on the LAWS system here.
Currently, HJ18 has been referred to House Business and Labor Committee and is due for a hearing in the coming weeks. Please thank Rep. Christy Clark for sponsoring HJ18, and Rep. Ellie Hill (D-Missoula) for letting us use her placeholder bill request. Please call your legislators and tell them to vote YES for HJ18 and its sensible approach, and to vote NO for LC1429, the Montana Tavern Association’s 60/40 bill. Tell them that LC1429 is wrong for Montana, and HJ18 is needed to move forward. Operators are standing by to take your calls at (406) 444-4800.
Be sure to stay tuned! More important updates on both LC1429 and HJ18 will be arriving on our Facebook and in your inbox!
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Check out some great editorials in support of Montana Breweries:
Montana Craft Brewing Under Attack
– Missoulian –
Tavern Association Proposal Would Kill Local Breweries
– Billings Gazette –
If you are passionate about the future of Breweries in Montana, get involved and write an editorial in your local paper to support our wonderful industry!