Montana Title 16. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana § 16-4-415. Changes in business entity ownership--department approval required

(1) In the case of corporate licensees, a person or entity that does not own stock or owns less than 15% of the stock in the corporation may not receive stock that results in the person or entity's share of stock in the corporation being 15% or greater, unless the department reviews and determines that the person or entity qualifies for ownership of a license as provided in 16-4-401.

(2) In the case of all other business entities, when a proposed transfer of ownership would result in a party who prior to the transfer owned no interest in the license owning 15% or more interest in the license, the proposed transfer must be submitted to the department for review. The proposed new party must qualify for ownership of an alcoholic beverage license as provided in 16-4-401.

(3) An ownership interest in an alcoholic beverage license may be transferred to an existing owner with 15% or more ownership in the license without department approval, subject to reporting requirements at the time of renewal.

(4) In the case of a proposed change in business entity, the proposed new business entity shall apply for a transfer of ownership of the license with the department prior to changing the business entity. The proposed new business entity must qualify for ownership of an alcoholic beverage license as provided in 16-4-401. If the existing owners and ownership percentages do not change under the proposed change in business entity, the new entity shall notify the department of the new business entity type, but prior department approval is not required.