On September 11th the Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC) made a decision that has potential ramifications for the alcoholic beverage industry in Montana. They basically said either the Alcohol Coalition finds a proposal for us they can all live with or the Legislature will look at fix it and we may not like their solution, which could including tearing apart the quota system.

 

MTA was not at this meeting because it coincided with the last day of our convention in Sidney. However, the EAIC gave the Alcohol Coalition until February to come up with a plan. We have been a part of the Alcohol Coalition--a group of players in the industry including MTA, Beer & Wine Distributors Assn, Brewers and Distillers Associations, Liquor Store Owners Association and the Department of Revenue--since the beginning. We have begun meetings to discuss the directive from the EAIC and will be providing feedback as soon as any ideas start to stick.

 

We have cut the video of the Sep 11th EAIC meeting down to the 42 minutes where alcohol licensing is discussed. We urge you to take the time to watch this video.