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Committee moves a slate of bills — alcohol, appraisals, pharmacy study and food-safety fee changes — to the floor
Summary
The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee advanced several bills including HB 882 (alcohol-license cleanups), HB 872 (appraiser evaluations), SJ 33 (pharmacy supply‑chain study), and HB 853 (food‑establishment fee adjustments, passed as amended). The committee also formed a small group to vet a proposed HB 584 amendment.
After several hearings the committee shifted to executive action and moved multiple bills to the Senate floor.
HB 882, a cleanup bill clarifying hotel, resort and guest‑ranch alcohol license uses outside quota areas, drew industry support (hospitality representatives) and passed the committee as presented. Proponents said the bill restores intended language from last session to allow multi‑building hotels and limited portability between resort licensed premises.
HB 872 (real estate appraiser evaluations) was described as a technical cleanup to permit appraiser evaluations distinct from full appraisals and to clarify that real‑estate agents are not subject to appraisal statutes; the bill had industry support and was concurred in by the committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 33, a study of pharmacy closures, drug pricing and the prescription distribution chain, drew broad backing from insurers, PBM trade groups, pharmacies, unions and physician groups. Sponsor Senator Sue Vinton said the study would examine CSI‑held data and produce Montana‑specific recommendations; proponents urged a neutral, data‑driven review of pharmacy benefit managers, plans, wholesalers and other participants.
HB 853 (revising food‑establishment fees) was taken from the table, amended to address mobile food/vending categories and fee parity, and passed the committee with a roll‑call (final concurrence as amended recorded 7 ayes, 4 noes). Committee discussion noted county inspectors perform many of these inspections and fee changes affect both local government revenue flows and small operators.
Committee procedural note: for HB 584 (dental anesthesia inspections) a House‑side amendment adjusting definitions was discussed; because stakeholders had not all been involved in drafting it, the committee agreed to form a small select group of members and stakeholders to vet the proposed changes and present a recommendation that could be considered either as a committee amendment or as a floor amendment.
