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State Taking Applications for Liquor, Beer Licenses

The beer licenses are new and cost $400 per year

By Dillon Tabish

HELENA — The Montana Department of Revenue is accepting applications for a dozen all-beverage and beer licenses available in six Montana communities.

Based on population growth, the agency has made four “floater” all-beverage licenses available in Jefferson County, two in Broadwater County and two in Billings along with a beer license. City beer licenses are also available in Sidney, Dillon and Plains.

Initial applications for the licenses are due by Sept. 2. If there is more than one eligible applicant for any of the licenses, they will be awarded by lottery drawing in mid-October.

Winners of the “floater” licenses will have the right to buy a liquor license from an area of the state that has too many licenses based on its current population and move it to Jefferson or Broadwater counties or Billings. The seller sets the price.

The beer licenses are new and cost $400 per year.

The Liquor Control Division puts restrictions on the floater licenses: They cannot be used to authorize gambling, they can’t be used as collateral for a loan and they can’t be transferred to another owner for five years.

Those who buy beer licenses may add a wine amendment, the agency said.

There are currently 1,453 all- beverages licenses in Montana and 436 beer licenses.