Helfert, Ask address tavern issues
Liquor Control Division Administrator Shauna Helfert told an attentive group of Montana Tavern Association members last month that her Division is committed to making operators' lives easier.
Helfert spoke during the general session of the MTA's annual convention Sept. 15 at Havre's Duck Inn. Other speakers included Gambling Control Division Administrator Rick Ask and Havre Mayor Tim Solomon, who welcomed MTA members to the Hi-Line. Atty. Gen. Steve Bullock was scheduled to speak, but had to cancel because of illness.
Helfert said, “We'll work together with the GCD to better serve you. Thank you for your professionalism in dealing with us.”
She said one of the missions of her agency is to thoroughly educate tavern owners about of new rules and regulations “to help you do your job better.”
Most of those who fail compliance do so not on purpose, she said, “but because they are confused.”
Some of the new rules the LCD is working on include ones to:
• Require mandatory server training,
• Clear up beer-and-wine tasting requirements,
• Set agency liquor store commission rates,
• Define premise requirements for outdoor decks and patios,
• And decide what constitutes a go-cup.
In addition, Helfert said the lottery for newly available liquor licenses will be held Oct. 1. She said many have applied throughout the state for 11 licenses available, which include all-beverage floater licenses, all beverage non-floater licenses, city beer licenses and beer-and-wine licenses.
Responding to a question about compliance checks becoming unfair when the sting operant goes out of her way to illicit an illegal alcohol purchase, Helfert said her department urges “fair and consistent” compliance checks. However, local DUI task forces generally carry out the checks, she said, and they don't always “follow guidelines.”
In closing, Helfert urged tavern owners to continue their alcohol responsibility efforts.
“It's everybody's responsibility. I really appreciate those who take it seriously.”
GCD Administrator Ask discussed several topics of interest, including the declining gaming tax revenues.
He confirmed that FY2010 revenues were down 16 percent from FY2009, with declines seen in each quarter over the year previous. However, he pointed out that last quarter was up from the third quarter, and that could be a positive sign.
“I'm anxious to see how the industry is performing in the first quarter (of this fiscal year),” he said.
Ask also mentioned that the common Form 37, necessary when changing ownership among licensees, has been completely streamlined to basically one page. He praised the cooperation and effort of everyone involved in the process, including Gambling Control, Liquor Control and the tavern owners.
A new rule adopted in July will allow approved non-institutional lenders to provide longer loan terms (up to 365 days) in gaming machine purchases, Ask said.
Regarding upcoming legislation, Ask said his agency will be working for passage of several bills, including several bingo- related measures that would:
• Increase the maximum bingo payout to $800,
• Impose session limits for bingo players,
• Increase the cost of a single bingo card to $1 from .50 cents.
Other proposed legislation outlined by Ask would create a “stale date” for VGM tickets that puts a limit on how long winners have to cash their voucher (the proposal currently set that limit at 48 hours, though that could change).