[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6116657,"mediaKeyId","2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08","parentId",2732576,"title","Bill would stop liquor licensing from being used to enforce income tax delinquencies, sponsor says","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",2844000,"endMs",3072000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08&start=2844&end=3072","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08/thumbnail_2844000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116657/Montana/Bill-would-stop-liquor-licensing-from-being-used-to-enforce-income-tax-delinquencies-sponsor-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116657-89e85f1b6f617e9eb65634e086cd61b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923724&Signature=JyhUEUjF861q7axR2dFtRIyZqIiCaolPgJM9DS6Do90iaw0Gfn6R98UQqMAm9P1pkhiI3nLfTJivv9uf8SV0XaRPrTp74NWOH1jdf9anpQd3sWZNDJunzhMHSaq1ha5aBhowNZDAND0ySSKciAY9vmpn1Bh5GVFRye7mrYHragPtqxdQuiaKBwi1Kz8LCv84Da11y6zK8HBJVYYJiVRQ1n148D1-hH9PFBwGihiJHv63APl4oi3HdNaaYVezilJIutVbpIlj9kgFuHvZxw2Yixk690xfwOKff0Yb1JLX0yMcU7c6XyccpkEBZqjSKxYrd0jfY8Bez5klHaNJBrA9yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Wiley Galt told the committee Senate Bill 241 is aimed at preventing the liquor licensing process from being used as a mechanism to collect sellers’ back income taxes during the sale or transfer of a license. He described a local example in which a buyer had to assist the seller in settling taxes before the license transfer could proceed.

John Iverson, representing the Montana Tavern Association, testified in favor of the bill, saying the licensing system should protect the public and not be used as a weapon to collect income taxes. Becky Schlau, Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator with the Department of Revenue, said the department has moved away from withholding transfers for unpaid taxes and instead intends to use a warrant for distraint to collect back taxes so as \"not to slow down the transfer of the license.\" Schlau said withholding transfers still occurred a couple times a year but the department accepted that practice was not efficient and had changed its process.

Committee members asked whether the bill covers all taxes or only certain types. Schlau said the bill language does not specify tax type and so could apply to any outstanding taxes; in the sponsor’s described case the unpaid items were income taxes. Members also asked how common the practice was and whether license quotas would limit availability; Schlau said frequency of the prior withholding practice was \"a couple of times a year\" and that license availability varies by community.

Senator Galt told the panel the bill codifies current department practice so the licensing mechanism will not be used to collect income taxes going forward. The transcript excerpt does not show a committee vote on SB241.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business and Labor - Friday, Mar 21, 2025 07:59 - 11:40","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Wiley Galt’s bill would prevent the alcohol licensing process from being used to withhold or delay liquor-license transfers over outstanding income taxes; licensing administrator said the department will instead use distraint warrants to collect unpaid taxes.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":44,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116662,"Heated hearing over bill to allow narrow cigar bar endorsements under Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act",4145,6989000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08&start=2844&end=6989","/articles/6116662/Montana/Heated-hearing-over-bill-to-allow-narrow-cigar-bar-endorsements-under-Montanas-Clean-Indoor-Air-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116662-ff386837dfd33b15704e15736df18cbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923724&Signature=DJP8UOi9btEP9EJK2mDGEgSlY3TqzdQGLFwlOmlY~0Z54KZNPqZ8ihsOJaI-lNaeSXl7~PRSnTErKdhRzs2Bbrx6~U8SMwszLfMjMcFNrmJ4q8RweEYqgxCYsuy~4gk~VeLN4g70BOQ~DkFQpdOo3YacIizJ4LrCevWj43x99UnIPrAClfecxt9NBphnt8kSIKUVl52WF6sxwD0y0uX1L2Y-Pp8WCmz3RqKTf5r0j-M2XDgUmNzwtHQDSIIrY6Q-8zuaP6z1XKAGriXLMuu1z1VSYtLWWpaziEygQxRmLHpYFgzgowLYIdqxuH4DJFilaBUb7uHjExWmZFZzfVx12g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Wiley Galt presented Senate Bill 150 to create a narrowly tailored endorsement that would allow \"premium\" hand-rolled cigar smoking inside certain freestanding all-beverage licensed establishments if they meet humidor, ventilation and other requirements.

Galt said the bill is intended to be narrow and noted other states allow cigar bars. He and supporters emphasized a package of conditions: a $200 endorsement fee, a required humidor, freestanding (not shared) building requirements and substantial dedicated ventilation or air handling systems. The sponsor and proponent witnesses described industry-standard air systems with large outside-air intake, multiple air exchanges per hour and additional filtration or ionization equipment.

Proponents included the Hospitality and Development Association of Montana and industry witnesses who said the endorsement would support small-business growth and tourism and would be limited to premium cigars (no filters or tips) sold and consumed on-site. Jesse Luther of the Hospitality association said the exemption would be narrow and put Montana on par with many other states.

Opponents included public-health groups and medical organizations. Montana Shades vs. Big Tobacco, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Montana Tavern Association (which said it opposed the bill in its present form), the Montana Medical Association and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network urged the committee to reject SB150. Opponents argued the bill would pierce Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act, exposing employees and patrons to secondhand smoke and creating enforcement and compliance problems. Jackie Simmons of the American Heart Association said exemptions risk signaling that cigar smoke is less harmful than cigarette smoke; the American Lung Association noted that ventilation and filtration do not eliminate the health risk from secondhand smoke.

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Tobacco Use Prevention Program and the Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator were present as informational witnesses; DPHHS noted it enforces the Clean Indoor Air Act. Committee questions focused on how many cigar lounges exist in the state today (witnesses said private cigar lounges exist but they are generally private clubs without an on-premise alcohol license) and how compliance could be enforced (DPHHS staff said determining whether smoke observed was from cigars purchased on-site or from other tobacco products would be challenging).

The sponsor said he planned amendments to tighten ventilation and employee-protection language, and he described the bill as intentionally narrow; several opponents urged the committee to preserve the current smoke-free workplace law. The hearing record in the provided transcript does not show a committee vote on SB150.","Senate Bill 150 would add a narrow cigar-bar endorsement for licensed all-beverage establishments meeting ventilation, humidor and other conditions; public-health groups and medical organizations opposed the change, saying it would undermine the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act and endanger workers.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116667,"Committee hears cleanup bill to let clinician staff hand medications to direct primary care patients",327,2281000,2608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08&start=2281&end=2608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08/thumbnail_2281000.jpg","/articles/6116667/Montana/Committee-hears-cleanup-bill-to-let-clinician-staff-hand-medications-to-direct-primary-care-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116667-82e05d07db07eac55cbe74c27404107e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923724&Signature=Y4-MiLaYF08RT7bWcWjxAMsxA8qAW54pXaZcXRkLYEUpR5iap56uaZs1TCPTGNa3T4MHYXBljJjLhxSQAOdaelkj7QBKwK4yPLEa~b97MjpY~ahLRuJr8FSde7fPXH6ve~nq6R8XNe9FFSFqe5ktueN1r0I4ZuzAqCK7DgIiX1EwBBhHHMMjFV72VHkztzGphg86QOUzd726cHiibcEJxFMJ0Wz6I8rAZsM7YmNovPjNIERv1m4kTShkgdAFvNeOVMUL7T9pxK2ChEZamzZiyI3g3jXKX3Rwyaa2MMo-3-Xg~38lL01-K-lSD2e5nRwzFvopqd4KO5Wdtl2XGrYBzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Tom McGillivray presented a cleanup bill to the House Business and Labor Committee to fix an unintended requirement in 2021's direct primary care statute that had forced physicians or physician assistants to physically hand medications to patients.

\"There's a little glitch in the legislation,\" McGillivray said, explaining that the original language required the practitioner personally to deliver dispensed medicines. The bill as presented would permit health-care staff working under the practitioner's supervision to convey and hand medications to patients after the drugs are prepared, labeled and the patient's identification verified.

Rob Cook, representing the Montana Medical Association, said the association supports the bill because it will \"provide for more affordable drug pricing, it's convenient and it's secure\" if the practice includes identity verification and counseling by the practitioner. Cole Whit Moyer, a nurse practitioner who testified for the Montana Direct Patient Care Association, described how his clinic seals labeled bottles in a bag with the patient's name and date of birth, then hands that sealed package to the patient.

During questions, committee members asked for detail about the phrase in the bill requiring \"two forms of identification written on the package by the provider.\" Whit Moyer described the practice used at his clinic: staff count and verify the medication, label the bottle, then place it in a sealed bag with the patient's first name, last name and date of birth; the bag is sealed so staff can hand it to the patient.

The Department of Labor and Industry's Board of Pharmacy staff were present to answer technical questions. The transcript excerpt does not show a committee vote on the bill.","Sponsors told lawmakers the bill corrects a drafting glitch so clinicians' staff — not just the practitioner — may deliver dispensed medication at direct primary care sites; Montana Medical Association supported the change.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116672,"Montana committee hears broad support for resolution urging Congress to protect Social Security",2116,119000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08&start=119&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732576-38704f0f9a6e2ae181d884385e5b4c08/thumbnail_119000.jpg","/articles/6116672/Montana/Montana-committee-hears-broad-support-for-resolution-urging-Congress-to-protect-Social-Security","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116672-6e0a2ee8f8b5cf758588736fd476be77/orig.mp4?Expires=1770923724&Signature=SSIhEt~GZVLBohmPtZel982UwnH6nBqu4qlbnWFcIZu2TkkjTcx4k6CD1Y7jf2MbAgw-Bfkg0ji5DNzig3m5Rua~-vuC60zUfZ3mqK2msE2AjGoFh~7O9INgM1jKe8rxB1oz45VIdXhbMj3Ikv2qXciA4Ddz82Qst~-qEzrsT~jnwA2omdpjnaBpk1x1eWiMu39RNhghDVq81i1JeiDBP8Mq5ecCLMo0-9KDi7WFFHgGRR7ANIVIBE54z2Qx-XyX2ooI-hgbTPNihLpL0k1t2YE0WTt6EGjeqoWVY9rRg69Qh7L2VKnS02DertIT02Kackl81QLQm68fWrEYOA991Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Connie Keogh, sponsor of House Joint Resolution 21, told the Montana House Business and Labor Committee the measure asks Congress and the federal executive branch to \"secure and strengthen Social Security and the Social Security trust fund.\" The hearing drew more than a dozen in-person proponents and several online witnesses who described Social Security as essential to seniors, people with disabilities and survivors.

Keogh (D-Missoula), who represents House District 92, opened with data from the resolution text, saying 258,613 retirees received Social Security benefits in 2023 and that Social Security lifted nearly 66,000 Montanans aged 65 and older out of poverty in 2022. She cited the program's accumulated surplus and said Social Security’s trust fund is invested in U.S. Treasury securities.

Speakers representing Big Sky 55 Plus, AARP affiliates, Disability Rights Montana and other organizations urged the committee to send the joint resolution to the full Legislature so Montana can signal to Congress that it supports strengthening benefits and safeguarding the trust fund. John Ellingson, vice chair of Big Sky 55 Plus, said Montana had an early state-level system in 1923 and called the program \"a promise\" that should be defended.

Multiple witnesses gave local context: Becky Brandborg, who described herself as self-employed and still paying Social Security taxes, said her benefit is spent locally; Don Lepinski recounted how long-term care costs were offset in part by Social Security benefits for his mother; Disability Rights Montana's Krista Gabriel said the program is a \"lifeline\" for many Montanans with disabilities. Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works (testifying online), urged committee members to support federal bills such as the Social Security 2100 Act and the Social Security Expansion Act that would increase benefits and broaden the payroll tax base.

Proponents repeatedly pushed back on what they called common myths—that Social Security is a \"Ponzi scheme\" or that its trust fund has been spent inappropriately—and pointed listeners to the Social Security Administration and the chief actuary's reports for up-to-date actuarial information.

Representative Keogh closed by urging the committee to pass HJ21 so the Legislature could send a clear message to Congress that Montana wants Social Security preserved and strengthened. The hearing record shows no formal committee action or vote on HJ21 during the session segment provided.

The hearing primarily consisted of proponent testimony; no opponents were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.","House Joint Resolution 21, introduced by Rep. Connie Keogh, drew a lengthy set of proponents who said Social Security is central to Montana households and rural economies; no formal committee vote was recorded in the hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would stop liquor licensing from being used to enforce income tax delinquencies, sponsor says

Heated hearing over bill to allow narrow cigar bar endorsements under Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act

Committee hears cleanup bill to let clinician staff hand medications to direct primary care patients

Montana committee hears broad support for resolution urging Congress to protect Social Security