News
Catch up with the latest news and guidance from TABC. You can read our news releases, marketing practices advisories, licencing and audit bulletins, industry notifications, announcements, and articles.
For media inquiries and other public information, visit the Public Information page.
INDUSTRY NOTICE: TABC San Antonio Regional Office to close March 17, reopen at new location March 20
TABC’s San Antonio Regional Office will be closed to the public Friday, March 17, as staff prepare to move to a new location. Customers can contact 512-206-3360 for assistance with their license or permit during this time. The office will resume normal hours at the new location Monday, March 20. The new location for the San Antonio Regional Office will be: 4242 E. Piedras Drive Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78228
Read moreTABC working with retailers, consumers to prevent underage drinking during spring break
AUSTIN — Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will visit hundreds of alcohol retailers — such as bars, restaurants, and stores — as part of a statewide operation to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors in popular spring break locations. The annual underage compliance operations during the month of March are part of an ongoing effort to empower businesses to prevent illegal alcohol sales, including sales to intoxicated persons and customers under the age of 21. According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, underage drivers accounted for 575 alcohol-related crashes in 2021, including 66 fatal crashes. “The vast majority of underage alcohol-related accidents and fatalities can be prevented simply by cutting off the source of alcohol to the minors,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Our primary goal during this operation is to work with retailers to ensure they have the practices and policies in place to prevent illegal alcohol sales. In the relatively few cases where we observe a violation, we’ll hold those businesses accountable and get them back into compliance.” Throughout the spring break operation, TABC agents will conduct undercover and open inspections to identify retailers selling alcohol to minors. Businesses found in violation could face a fine or a temporary suspension of their liquor license, while employees who break the law could face a misdemeanor criminal charge. TABC has been offering training and educational resources for retailers to help their employees prepare for the busy spring break season, including in-person sessions such as a seminar held with South Padre Island and Port Isabel merchants in February. “We want alcohol retailers across the state to realize that this period before spring break is the best time to prepare your staff for the busy season ahead,” Graham said. “Train your staff to recognize the signs of a fake ID, as well as the best ways to decline a sale if you think it would break the law. Ultimately, alcohol retailers are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing injury or loss of life.” For more information on TABC training for alcohol retailers, visit tabc.texas.gov/public-safety/retailer-resources/. For more information about TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media contact: Chris Porter TABC Public Information Officer (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: Conduct your TABC compliance reports using AIMS
Businesses with TABC-licensed and/or permitted locations in Texas may conduct a voluntary compliance report (aka self-inspection) of their Texas premises by using the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) beginning May 1, 2023. TABC is launching a new method for you to conduct your annual compliance reports through AIMS. This replaces the mobile app that businesses previously used. Businesses will now conduct and file their annual reports by picking up their mobile device, opening either the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge app, and logging into AIMS — the same online system used by businesses to manage licenses, applications, excise taxes, and more. Compliance reports ask users a series of questions and prompt them to take photos to confirm they are following the applicable laws for their businesses. What: Voluntary compliance reporting (self-inspection) period When: May 1–Aug. 31, 2023
Read moreTax ID stamp system now available
Businesses that hold a Local Distributor Permit (LP) can now order tax ID stamps through TABC’s new online ordering portal, which launched today.
Read moreDelinquent List publication delayed
Because parts of Texas are experiencing severe winter weather, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be delaying the publication of Credit Delinquent List 1862, which was initially scheduled to be published on Feb. 1, 2023. Delinquent List 1862 will now be published on Feb. 3, 2023. Delinquent List 1862 Delivery period: Jan. 1–15, 2023 Payment date: Jan. 25, 2023 Reporting date: Jan. 27, 2023 Publication and effective date: Feb. 3, 2023 Businesses that use the delinquent list can view the full schedule on the Delinquent List page.
Read moreStatement from TABC on guilty plea from Maria Botello-Morales for sex trafficking charges
BACKGROUND: A 56-year-old Houston woman faces life in prison after she pleaded guilty to multiple sex trafficking charges resulting from a joint investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and members of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA). U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the guilty plea on Jan. 30, adding that Maria Botello-Morales admitted to recruiting a minor-aged Mexican citizen to work in a bar she owned and to forcing the girl and multiple other victims into sex work on the threat of violence. TABC canceled the liquor permit for the bar, Puerto Alegre, in 2020 following the initial investigation. Botello-Morales remains in custody awaiting sentencing. She faces up to life in prison. The joint investigation was conducted by TABC and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Houston Police Department as part of HTRA. TABC’s investigation remains ongoing. Statement from TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly: “This case demonstrates the lengths traffickers will go to in order to recruit and abuse victims, even when those victims are barely more than children. All of us at TABC are incredibly proud of the work of our agents and partners with the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, and we remain committed to finding and stopping human trafficking no matter where it’s found in Texas.” U.S. Attorney’s Office news release: justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/woman-guilty-trafficking-women-cantina-backroom For more about TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Trafficking victims are asked to contact TABC’s Victim Services Coordinator at VictimServices@tabc.texas.gov or 713-494-5869. Media contact: Chris Porter TABC Public Information Officer (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC offices temporarily switch to virtual assistance due to winter weather
The following TABC offices will be closed to in-person appointments this week due to the threat of severe winter weather. Staff at these offices will offer virtual assistance instead.
Read moreConvicted human trafficker receives 35-year sentence following TABC, Bexar County investigation
AUSTIN — A San Antonio man was sentenced by a jury to 35 years in prison on charges of human trafficking and 15 years for aggravated promotion of prostitution following a weeklong trial in the 290th District Court concluding Jan. 17. Eric Laranze Taylor, 28, was arrested and charged with the offenses in 2018, after a joint investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. “This heavy sentence sends a clear message that trafficking will not be tolerated in our state,” TABC Chairman Kevin Lilly said. “All of us at TABC remain committed to identifying and stopping human trafficking, whether it takes place within a licensed bar or club, or anywhere else. We’re grateful to our partners at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding work in bringing Eric Taylor to justice.” The investigation began in the summer of 2018 after investigators received reports that a 16-year-old girl was working as a dancer at multiple sexually oriented businesses in Central Texas, including some licensed to sell alcohol by TABC. Further investigation revealed that she had been recruited over social media by a man, identified as Taylor, to strip in the various men’s clubs and engage in prostitution. Investigators also learned that Taylor provided the child with fraudulent ID documents to facilitate her employment at the clubs. Investigators later found evidence showing Taylor, over several months, had recruited at least three minors and two 18-year-old women to come to San Antonio to live with him and work at multiple strip clubs in San Antonio, Houston, and Travis County. Agents from TABC’s Special Investigations Unit identified and charged several managers at clubs in these locations who hired the minors to work as dancers, resulting in one of the clubs — Blush Men’s Club of San Antonio — having its liquor license canceled by the agency in 2019. Details of the operation were also shared with members of the Texas Legislature, who later went on to pass needed legislation prohibiting sexually oriented businesses from hiring anyone younger than 21 and requiring employers to use E-Verify and other tools to ensure all workers are of legal age. “While this is undoubtedly a victory for public safety as well as all Texans, it does not mean our work is complete,” Lilly said. “Human trafficking has no place in Texas, and as long as criminal elements use TABC-licensed businesses to hide their illegal activity, our investigators will use any and all tools to identify and stop this heinous crime.” For more information about TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media contact: Chris Porter TABC Public Information Officer (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreDelay in new online ordering portal for tax ID stamps
The launch of the new online ordering portal for tax ID stamps will be delayed due to continued data migration. TABC will send updated notifications to local distributors when the portal launches. This communication only applies to holders of a Local Distributor Permit (LP). If you do not hold this permit or represent the permittee, this does not apply to you.
Read moreAgenda posted for commission meeting scheduled for Jan. 24, 2023
A regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. CST. View meeting agenda. Watch or listen live from your internet browser by using the video player at the bottom of the Agency Meetings page. You can also attend this meeting at our Austin headquarters. Citizens can address the commission during a time set aside for public comment. Learn more on the Agency Meetings page.
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