This bill revises Montana's alcoholic beverage laws by allowing licensed distilleries to market and sell interests in aging liquor through warehouse receipts. It permits the resale of these warehouse receipts and allows for the management and brokering of their sales. Importantly, the bill clarifies that ownership of warehouse receipts does not equate to an ownership interest in the distillery business or its license. Additionally, the bill amends existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, specifically sections 16-4-312 and 16-4-401.

Key provisions include the stipulation that the department will not require any application or report for the sale or purchase of warehouse receipts, provided the liquor remains on the distillery's licensed premises until it is transferred in accordance with the law. The bill also states that individuals can purchase or invest in warehouse receipts from distilleries licensed under federal law, regardless of their location. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1(1): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1(2): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1(3): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1(4): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1(5): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_1: 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(1): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(2): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(3): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(4): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(5): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(6): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(7): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X(8): 16-4-312, 16-4-401
HB0549_X: 16-4-312, 16-4-401