HB 86: Generally revise beer wholesaler and table wine laws - Montana

HB0086_2(35).pdf → HB0086_X.pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and formatted as an enrolled version, but the substantive policy content remains consistent. The core changes involve defining key terms like 'distribute' and 'supplier,' establishing a $400 license fee, and prohibiting distributors from having financial interests in retailers to maintain market competition.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding alcohol distribution laws remains unchanged; the text was updated to reflect an official enrolled status.

TECHNICAL

The bill header and page numbering were updated to reflect the enrolled version (HB 86) rather than the draft version (HB0086.2).

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Agreement of distributorship,' 'Distribute,' 'Good cause,' 'Person,' and 'Supplier' to clarify legal obligations and relationships.

REQUIREMENT

Established a $400 license fee for distributors and mandated that the license be prominently displayed at the licensed premises.

Introduced a prohibition on distributors advancing money to retailers or holding financial interests in them to prevent anti-competitive practices.

Required a written agreement between breweries/importers and distributors to formalize the distribution relationship.

HB0086_1(7).pdf → HB0086_2(10).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill updates its version number and includes minor formatting adjustments. The most significant substantive change is the addition of 'TABLE WINE TO AGENCY LIQUOR STORES' to the definition of a distributor's permitted sales, expanding the scope of who can legally purchase table wine from distributors beyond just other licensed retailers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly authorize distributors to sell table wine to agency liquor stores, whereas previously this specific transaction type was not listed in the definition of permitted sales.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Supplier' was altered to include 'WINE' in the list of products, ensuring consistency with the expanded sales permissions.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision was added allowing distributors to sell table wine to agency liquor stores, broadening the existing rule that only allowed sales to other licensed distributors or retailers.

TECHNICAL

The bill header and version numbers were updated to reflect the new iteration (HB0086.2) of the legislation.

HB0086_2(9).pdf → HB0086_1(7).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent significant formatting cleanup and minor text corrections. The primary substantive change is the removal of a specific restriction preventing distributors from selling table wine to agency liquor stores, allowing them to sell to any licensed retailer instead. Additionally, the definition of 'Supplier' was updated to explicitly include 'wines' after 'sacramental' for clarity.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded slightly by removing a restriction on where distributors can sell table wine, permitting sales to agency liquor stores in addition to other licensed retailers.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated a prohibition on distributors selling table wine to agency liquor stores, allowing sales to any licensed retailer.

DEFINITION

Corrected the definition of 'Supplier' to explicitly include 'wines' after 'sacramental' for grammatical consistency.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant text and corrected formatting inconsistencies throughout the document.

HB0086_1(6).pdf → HB0086_2(9).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from HB 86.1 to HB0086.2, likely indicating a revision or new version. The definition of 'Supplier' was modified to explicitly include 'WINE' in the list of products, clarifying that wineries fall under this category. Additionally, the scope of distribution was expanded to allow sales of table wine to agency liquor stores, broadening the market for distributors.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include table wine sales to agency liquor stores and clarified that wineries are considered suppliers.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Supplier' was updated to explicitly include 'WINE', ensuring wineries are clearly categorized as suppliers alongside breweries and beer importers.

ELIGIBILITY

Distributors are now authorized to sell table wine to agency liquor stores, expanding their potential customer base and sales channels.

TECHNICAL

The bill's identifier was changed from 'HB 86.1' to 'HB0086.2', reflecting a version update or legislative revision.

HB0086_2(8).pdf → HB0086_1(6).pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill underwent minor formatting updates and technical corrections, including changing the bill number from HB 86.2 to HB 86.1 and removing redundant text. A key substantive change clarifies the definition of 'Supplier' by explicitly including 'sacramental wines' in the list of products, ensuring the definition covers all relevant alcoholic beverages. Another change simplifies the definition of a distributor's activities by removing specific references to 'agency liquor stores,' broadening the language to apply generally to licensed retailers.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on alcohol distribution regulations, but the definition of 'Supplier' is slightly broadened to explicitly include sacramental wines.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Supplier' was updated to explicitly list 'sacramental wines' alongside beer and table wines, clarifying that the distributorship rules apply to all three product types.

The description of distributor activities was simplified by removing specific references to 'agency liquor stores,' making the rule applicable to all licensed retailers without exception.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was updated from HB 86.2 to HB 86.1, and several lines of redundant header text were removed or corrected.

HB0086_1(5).pdf → HB0086_2.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill updates its version number and includes minor formatting adjustments. It adds a new category of 'TABLE WINE' to the definition of a supplier and expands the scope of distributor licenses to include 'LIQUOR STORES'.

Scope change

The bill's scope is expanded to explicitly include table wine and liquor stores in its regulatory framework.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Supplier' was modified to include 'TABLE WINE' alongside beer and sacramental wines.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of entities eligible for distributor licenses was modified to explicitly include 'LIQUOR STORES'.

TECHNICAL

The bill's version identifier was updated from HB 86.1 to HB0086.2.

LC0201.pdf → HB0086_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC0201 to HB 86, and the sponsor was identified as E. ButtreY. The document header was updated to reflect the new bill number. These are technical and administrative changes that do not alter the bill's substantive policy, scope, or legal requirements.

TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC0201 to HB 86

Sponsor name added as E. ButtreY

Header text updated to reflect the new bill number

Generally revise beer wholesaler and table wine laws

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