Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 16. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND MARIJUANA

CHAPTER 4. LICENSE ADMINISTRATION

Part 4. Licensing Criteria

Approval Of A Licensee Without Premises -- Nonuse Approval

16-4-417. Approval of a licensee without premises -- nonuse approval. (1) If an applicant has a license available to obtain under 16-4-104, 16-4-201, 16-4-204, or 16-4-420 but does not have a premises, the department may approve the applicant without approving the premises. The department shall issue the license if all other requirements of this code related to an applicant are met.

(2) (a) A license issued under subsection (1) must be immediately put on nonuse status until a premises is approved by the department and may not be transferred to another person or business entity prior to approval of the premises unless that transfer is due to a death of an owner or was reasonably beyond the control of the licensee. On issuance of the license under this section, the licensee shall apply for a premises within 6 months and must have the premises approved within 1 year from issuance of the license. The department may extend the nonuse period if the licensee provides evidence that the delay in use is for reasons outside the licensee's control and that the licensee is making progress toward licensure.

(b) After approval of the premises, a licensee shall operate the license for 1 year prior to transferring the license to another person or business entity unless that transfer is due to a death of an owner.

(c) A licensee shall pay all licensing fees annually even if the premises has not been approved. The department may establish nonuse license fees for a license issued under this section.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 479, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 29, L. 2023.