HB 491: Revise alcohol laws relating to community care retirement facility licenses - Montana

HB0491_2(14).pdf → HB0491_X.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill updates the title and scope to explicitly include 'multiple campuses' and 'various buildings' for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). It amends alcohol licensing laws to allow CCRCs to sell alcohol at multiple locations on their campus and clarifies rules for serving alcohol at guest ranches and golf courses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of alcohol licensing to specifically permit Continuing Care Retirement Communities to operate multiple service locations on a single campus, whereas the previous text was less explicit about this capability.

SCOPE

The bill title and summary were updated to explicitly mention 'multiple campuses' and 'various buildings' to clarify that CCRCs can manage alcohol sales across different structures on their property.

ELIGIBILITY

Amended Section 16-3-302 to clarify that all-beverages licenses for CCRCs can be used at multiple service locations on the campus, aligning the law with the new scope.

REQUIREMENT

Updated requirements for guest ranch licenses to specify that alcoholic beverages can be served in outdoor portions and one permanent building, with specific rules for temporary structures and floorplan submissions.

DEFINITION

Clarified the definition of 'permanent building' for guest ranch licenses as a fixed structure with specific features like floor-to-ceiling walls and plumbing.

HB0491_1(7).pdf → HB0491_2(10).pdf · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the scope of alcohol licensing beyond just Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) to include hotels, golf courses, ski hills, and guest ranches. It also updated the list of statutes being amended to reflect these new additions. The changes allow for more flexible on-premises alcohol service in various recreational and lodging settings.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from exclusively regulating alcohol sales in Continuing Care Retirement Communities to include multiple new categories of licensed premises, including hotels, golf courses, ski hills, and guest ranches.

SCOPE

The primary purpose statement was updated to list new sections (16-3-302, 16-4-1005) in addition to the original 16-4-315, reflecting the expansion of the bill's subject matter.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions were added to Section 16-3-302 to allow licensed retailers to sell and serve beer on premises at golf courses, ski hills, and swimming pool areas.

New provisions were added to Section 16-3-302 to allow all-beverages license holders to sell alcohol at guest ranches, subject to specific outdoor serving hours.

New eligibility criteria were established for hotels and other short-term lodging facilities to sell and serve alcohol on their premises.

DEFINITION

New definitions were introduced for 'permanent building' and expanded the definition of 'premises' to include temporary structures like tents and recreational vehicles under specific conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Requirements for alcohol service locations were expanded to include rules for multiple service locations at golf courses and guest ranches, including floorplan submissions and application fees.

HB0491_2(9).pdf → HB0491_1(7).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from HB 491.2 to HB 491.1 and completely rewritten to replace an old golf-course-specific alcohol license with a new 'limited all-beverages license' for continuing care retirement communities. The new version removes all references to golf courses and satellite service vehicles, replacing them with a framework that allows multiple service locations, patios, and swimming pool areas within a retirement campus. It also introduces specific definitions for 'campus' and 'dining area' and clarifies that the license does not authorize gaming or off-premises sales.

Scope change

The scope shifted from a narrow exception for golf courses to a broader, structured licensing program for retirement communities, while explicitly removing the ability to use the license for gaming or off-premises delivery.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to golf courses, satellite service vehicles, and golf course beer/wine licenses.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'campus' (contiguous land with graduated care) and 'dining area' (designated area with food service).

REQUIREMENT

Established new requirements for multiple alcohol service locations, including the need for food service and controlled access boundaries.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that the license does not authorize gaming or gambling and restricts sales to on-premises consumption only.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed eligibility criteria from golf course operators to continuing care retirement communities providing independent living and graduated levels of care.

HB0491_2(3).pdf → HB0491_2(4).pdf · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was capitalized to emphasize that Section 16-3-302 of the Montana Code Annotated is being amended to establish rules for retailers selling alcohol for on-premises consumption. This change does not alter the legal substance, scope, or applicability of the law but serves as a stylistic update to the legislative language.

TECHNICAL

The introductory sentence of the amendment was converted to all capital letters, changing 'section 16-3-302, MCA, is amended to read' to 'SECTION 16-3-302, MCA, IS AMENDED TO READ'. This is a formatting change with no impact on the law's meaning.

HB0491_1(6).pdf → HB0491_2.pdf · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from modifying a single section to amending three separate sections of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The primary policy change is the addition of new rules allowing licensed retailers to sell and serve alcohol in specific outdoor and temporary structures at golf courses, ski hills, and swimming pools, provided these areas are separate from the main licensed premises. The bill also clarifies definitions for 'campus' and 'permanent building' to accommodate these new service locations.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from amending only Section 16-4-315 to amending Sections 16-3-302, 16-4-315, and 16-4-1005, thereby incorporating new rules for golf courses and other recreational facilities into the broader alcohol licensing framework.

SCOPE

Added amendments to Sections 16-3-302 and 16-4-1005 to include regulations for selling alcohol at golf courses, ski hills, and swimming pools.

ELIGIBILITY

Created new eligibility for licensed retailers to sell alcohol in temporary or mobile structures (like tents or trailers) and specific outdoor areas if they remain within approved premises boundaries.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'permanent building' to require fixed structures with full roofs and plumbing, distinguishing them from temporary structures allowed for alcohol service.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced new requirements for licensees to submit floor plans depicting indoor and outdoor portions of premises when operating licenses at guest ranches or recreational facilities.

LC0889.pdf → HB0491_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from LC 889 to HB 491.1, indicating a shift from a committee report to a formal House bill. The text was cleaned up to remove redundant line numbers and formatting artifacts. A new definition was added to clarify how specific terms apply to all-beverage licenses in continuing care retirement communities.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on continuing care retirement communities, but the addition of a new definition clarifies the application of licensing terms.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from LC 0889 to HB 491.1, reflecting its progression through the legislative process.

Formatting errors and redundant line numbers were removed to improve readability.

DEFINITION

A new clause was added to define terms specifically for all-beverage licenses within continuing care retirement communities.

Revise alcohol laws relating to community care retirement facility licenses

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors