Montana Title 16. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana § 16-10-403. Revocation or suspension of license--civil penalty

(1) The department may revoke or suspend the license of, impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500 on, or order any combination of revocation, suspension, and penalty to be imposed on any licensed wholesaler or retailer upon sufficient cause appearing of the violation of this chapter or upon the failure of the licensee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter.

(2) A license may not be suspended or revoked except upon notice to the licensee and after a hearing prescribed by the department at its principal office. The department, upon a finding by it that the licensee has failed to comply with any provisions of this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter, shall, in the case of a first offender, suspend the license of the licensee for a period of not less than 5 or more than 20 consecutive business days, impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500, or order both the suspension and the penalty. In the case of a second or plural offender, the department shall suspend the license for a period of not less than 20 consecutive business days or more than 12 months, impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500, or order both the suspension and the penalty. In the event the department finds the offender has been guilty of willful and persistent violations, it may revoke the licensee's license and, in its discretion, may impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500.

(3) Any person whose license has been revoked may apply to the department at the expiration of 1 year for a reinstatement of the license. The license may be reinstated by the department if it appears to the satisfaction of the department that the licensee will comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules promulgated under this chapter.

(4) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked may not sell cigarettes or permit cigarettes to be sold during the period of the suspension or revocation on the premises occupied by the person or upon other premises controlled by the person or others or in any other manner or form whatever. A disciplinary proceeding or action is not barred or abated by the expiration, transfer, surrender, continuance, renewal, or extension of any license issued under the provisions of the cigarette tax law.

(5) Any determination by the department and any order of suspension or revocation of a license or refusal to reinstate a license after revocation is reviewable by the court in a proper case and in proceedings as provided by the procedural law of this jurisdiction.