Montana bill to allow supervised self‑service beer and wine machines draws safety questions

Representative Katie Zolnikoff explained House Bill 123, which would allow certain licensed establishments to operate supervised self‑service beer and wine dispensers that use a prepaid card or token system to meter specific ounce pours. She said the system is already in use in other states and typically supplements table service with staff responsible for ID verification, loading customers’ cards and monitoring consumption.

Proponents from the restaurant, hospitality and gaming sectors described benefits including more precise pours, reduced waste, ability to sample expensive bottles by the ounce, and an option for business owners amid labor shortages. Brad Griffin and other proponents showed photographs of encased dispensers and said attendant supervision and machine design reduce over‑pouring.

Opponents included certified substance‑abuse prevention specialists who argued the devices make it easier for underage customers to obtain alcohol and create enforcement challenges for regulators; they urged caution or defeat of the bill. Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control staff testified the bill requires department approval of the device and that a licensee must have employees monitoring the premises to prevent over‑service.

Committee questions focused on enforcement, house rules for underage patrons, whether cards would be treated as gift cards, and device safeguards; the sponsor noted a house amendment to clarify cards are not state gift cards and reiterated that employees must supervise dispensing. The hearing concluded and the bill will return for consideration.