News
Catch up with the latest news and guidance from TABC. You can read our news releases, marketing practices advisories, licensing and audit bulletins, industry notifications, announcements, and articles.
For media inquiries and other public information, visit the Public Information page.
TABC to hold Stakeholder Meeting to discuss draft rules on Oct. 8
Joined TABC by videoconference Thursday, Oct. 8, 10-11 a.m. CDT to discuss a draft new rule and a draft amendment to a marketing practices advisory. This meeting will be held online. Please register through Zoom and save your confirmation email for further instructions on joining the meeting.
Read moreTABC redesigns certificate for completing seller/server certification
TABC has redesigned the certificate issued to bartenders, cashiers and servers who successfully complete an agency-approved seller/server certification course. The seller/server certification course teaches the laws and rules of responsible alcoholic beverage sales and service in Texas, in addition to intervention techniques to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated customers. Once an employee completes seller/server certification, they are issued a certificate as proof of their successful completion. Each certificate is valid for two years and must be renewed by taking the training again after a certificate expires. The design change does not impact the validity of current seller/server certifications. Training schools may still issue certificates in the older design to trainees as they make the switch. Employers and employees should check the Certificate Inquiry System to verify the status of a TABC seller/server certification. The certificate was redesigned in August 2026 to align with the agency’s branding standards.
Read moreAIMS now supports Google Pay, Apple Pay
TABC license and permit holders using the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) can now pay for transactions with Google Pay or Apple Pay for quicker checkout and improved convenience. These options are available for all AIMS transactions on supported devices and browsers. AIMS also supports payments made by credit card and automated clearing house (ACH). Google Pay and Apple Pay are digital wallet services that allow users to store payment information and make secure payments. When completing a payment in AIMS, you now have the option to choose Google Pay or Apple Pay during checkout. The option will appear if your device and browser support the chosen payment service. TABC license and permit holders use AIMS to pay for most related fees, such as excise taxes and application fees for new licenses and permits, renewals, and product registrations. Please visit our How to Use AIMS page to get guides and agency contact information for AIMS support.
Read moreTABC to hold Commission Meeting on Sept. 22
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will hold a board meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central time. Watch or listen live from your internet browser by using the video player at the bottom of our Agency Meetings page. Meetings can be attended in person at our Austin headquarters in the Commission Meeting Room. Members of the public who attend in person can register at the meeting to address the commission during time set aside for public comment. For in-person public comment, register when you attend the meeting. For virtual public comment, register through the sign-up link, which will open Monday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time, on the Agency Meetings page.
Read moreGov. Abbott reappoints Marino, Mack to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has reappointed Deborah Gray Marino of San Antonio and Hasan K. Mack of Austin to new terms on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Appointed by the Texas Governor for staggered six-year terms, the five Commissioners are the primary policymaking body for TABC, which regulates more than 70,000 licensed alcohol manufacturers, distributors and retailers across Texas. This is the second term for both commissioners. Marino was originally appointed on Nov. 6, 2019; Mack was originally appointed on March 16, 2020. “Commissioners Marino and Mack‘s leadership and their willingness to meet the challenges faced by the alcoholic beverage industry have helped make TABC a stronger agency while promoting the fairness and transparency Texans expect of their government,” TABC Chairman Robert A. Eckels said. “I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for his continued trust in them, and I look forward to another successful term working with both of them.” Marino is the senior vice president of corporate relations at SWBC, where she leads national, state, and local engagement with nonprofit, trade, civic and other corporate industry organizations. She volunteers as an advisor to the Alamo Leadership Council, Women United of United Way of Bexar County, Early Matters, and greater: SATX. “One of the cornerstones of TABC is service to our fellow Texans,” Marino said. “I’m grateful to Governor Abbott for providing me the opportunity to continue serving the people of this great state, and I’m especially grateful to the men and women of TABC for their work in promoting Texas’ economic growth while keeping our communities safe.” Mack is an attorney at Austin law firm McCall, Parkhurst & Horton L.L.P. He serves as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and underwriter's counsel for state agencies, political subdivisions, and institutions of higher education advising such entities on federal and state securities laws relevant to their municipal security transactions. He has previously served on the Texas Bond Review Board and is currently a member of the State Bar of Texas, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, a Director for the Texas Lyceum and an Advisory Council Member for the Center on Municipal Markets at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. “Working with the men and women of TABC has been one of the highlights of serving on this commission,” Mack said. “I’m proud to join my fellow commissioners in working hand-in-hand with our staff, our elected leaders, and the alcoholic beverage industry to help build a stronger and safer Texas for generations to come." Both commissioners’ new terms expire on Nov. 15, 2031. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC to discontinue PortPass, tax collection at Galveston Seaport on Aug. 11, 2026
Effective Aug. 11, TABC will discontinue PortPass and no longer require cruise passengers traveling through the Galveston Seaport to pay taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. Travelers are still required to pay taxes on alcohol and cigarettes brought into Texas through any of the 28 Texas-Mexico border crossings monitored by TABC. Once the traveler confirms they’re importing alcohol or cigarettes to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, they are directed to TABC to pay the required fees and enter the state. See the rules, restrictions and fees and our Texas Ports of Entry page. Most TABC ports of entry accept cash or credit card payment, but you can confirm your preferred method by viewing our Ports of Entry Locations. For questions, please email poe@tabc.texas.gov.
Read moreTABC to hold virtual Stakeholder Meeting on Aug. 6
Join TABC staff virtually to discuss a draft rule for publication during a Stakeholder Meeting on Aug. 6, 2026, 10-11 a.m. Central time. This meeting will be held by Zoom only.
Read moreAgenda and documents for June 2 Commission Meeting
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central time. Watch or listen live from your internet browser by using the video player at the bottom of our Agency Meetings page. Meetings can be attended in person at our Austin headquarters in the Commission Meeting Room. Members of the public who attend in person can register at the meeting to address the commission during time set aside for public comment.
Read morePublic Hearing on proposed rules April 23
Join TABC staff by video conference to discuss rules proposed by the commission and published in the Texas Register for public comment. Review the full text of the proposed rules by accessing the April 10 edition of the Texas Register or by accessing the link below. After these proposed rules are published in the Texas Register and a 30-day formal comment period has lapsed, the rules will be eligible for adoption at a subsequent TABC commission meeting. Note: An earlier version of this announcement stated the public hearing's date as April 28. The announcement has been corrected.
Read moreDocuments posted for March 24 Commission Meeting
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Central time. Watch or listen live from your internet browser by using the video player at the bottom of our Agency Meetings page. You can also attend the meeting at our Austin headquarters in the Commission Meeting Room. Members of the public who attend in person can register at the meeting to address the commission during time set aside for public comment. The online form to sign up for virtual public comment closes every Monday before the commission meeting.
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