Bill to extend brewery hours tabled

The House Business and Labor Committee voted to table House Bill 185, the bill to extend brewery taproom hours to 10 p.m., during a meeting at the current session of the Montana Legislature on Feb. 8.

According to the Montana Brewers Association, Rep. Ed Buttrey (R-Great Falls) made a motion to table as soon as the committee took up the bill during executive action. The motion to table passed on a 16-3 vote without any discussion and without an up or down vote on the bill itself.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dave Fern (D-Whitefish), drew a crowd of supporters for the hearing on Feb. 5, including Montana Brewers Association Executive Director Matt Leow. He was one of 15 supporters of House Bill 185 during its initial hearing.

The Montana Tavern Association, Montana Restaurants Association and the Gaming Industry Association of Montana all opposed the bill, citing negative impacts to bars and restaurants.