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.
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Virtual stakeholder meeting scheduled for Dec. 7
Join TABC staff to discuss draft rule amendments the agency developed to implement new laws from the 88th Legislature. This meeting is set for Thursday, Dec. 7, 10 to 11 a.m. CST. Potential draft rule for publication: Revisions to Rule 45.4 (Product Registration Required) to add provisions in response to the passage of SB 1322 and SB 1832 in the 88th Legislature, Regular Session. It is TABC's intent to propose this rule for publication at the commission meeting in January. Location: This meeting will be held by Zoom videoconference at this link. Conference call line: +1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 160 055 2196 Passcode: 676965 iPhone one-click dialing: +16692545252,,1600552196# If you are unable to attend by videoconference, you may share your thoughts with TABC staff by emailing rules@tabc.texas.gov.
Read moreTABC agents act quickly to save victim of possible opioid overdose
AUSTIN — Quick action by two agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission revived a woman who was found unresponsive during an inspection of a Dallas-area bar Sept. 30. TABC agents Wesley McDonald and Tim Shepherd were conducting a regular inspection of a dance club on the 10000 block of Finnell Street when they observed a woman in a wheelchair slumped over and unresponsive. The unresponsive person was surrounded by several other patrons who were attempting to revive her. The two agents examined the woman and found that she was limp and unresponsive to verbal stimulation. They also could not locate a pulse on the woman. The agents instructed an employee to contact 911 and began questioning the woman’s acquaintances on whether she had taken any drugs or medication. During this conversation, the woman’s eyes rolled back and the skin around her mouth began to turn blue. The agents quickly determined that it was necessary to use Narcan, the device that delivers the anti-opioid overdose medication naloxone. Agent McDonald retrieved his Narcan, while Agent Shepherd held the woman’s head upright to maintain her airway. A few seconds after the medication was administered, the woman regained consciousness. She was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further treatment. “I truly believe Agent McDonald’s and Agent Shepherd’s quick actions saved a life that night,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Our agents are, first and foremost, dedicated to keeping Texans safe and saving lives. I’m incredibly proud of these agents’ actions, and I’m grateful for all our agents and industry partners who are working to keep their fellow Texans safe.” All TABC agents conducting inspections carry Narcan as part of their regular duty equipment. The agency is also working to develop training for alcohol retailers on the warning signs of a possible opioid overdose and what to do if a suspected overdose takes place at the business. The agents’ lifesaving actions come as Texas observes its first Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month this October. The annual observance, which was adopted by the Texas Legislature earlier this year, seeks to raise awareness of the dangers of opioids such as fentanyl. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC appoints Ronald Swenson as executive chief of agency law enforcement operations
AUSTIN — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has appointed agency veteran Ronald Swenson to the post of executive chief of enforcement, where he will oversee the agency’s 200-plus commissioned peace officers working across the state in support of public safety. Swenson, who previously served as head of the agency’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), succeeds former Executive Chief Victor Kuykendoll following his retirement in August. “Chief Swenson has been a huge part of TABC’s success in law enforcement over the past 18 years, and I know he’ll be a great fit to lead law enforcement efforts,” said Thomas Graham, TABC Executive Director. “He is a proven leader, an outstanding peace officer, and a true Texan. I have the utmost confidence in Ron and in the entire TABC law enforcement staff. This is an exciting time for our agency.” Swenson got his start at TABC in 2005, starting as an enforcement agent at the agency’s Odessa office. He was later promoted to oversee the SIU and the unit’s investigations into human trafficking, narcotics trafficking and other organized criminal activity. Following that, he was appointed as deputy chief of law enforcement for the agency’s Investigations Bureau, which includes SIU as well as the agency’s criminal intelligence, financial crimes, victim services, and Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) units. Before joining TABC, Swenson served with the Horizon City Police Department for 11 years. Swenson is a graduate of the FBI National Academy - 212th session, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Covert Operations School and the Governor’s Executive Development Program. He holds a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer Certificate as well as a TCOLE instructor certification. He also serves on a number of task force boards, including the Austin-area FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Texas Violent Gang Task Force and Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC announces 93% retailer compliance rate during back-to-school operations
AUSTIN — A statewide series of inspections by agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission found that 93% of retailers successfully prevented the sale of alcohol to minors during the busy back-to-school season. The inspections, called “underage compliance operations” (UCOs) by TABC, are part of the agency’s regular efforts to ensure retailers are aware of Texas’ laws against selling alcohol to customers younger than 21. While TABC enforcement agents conduct UCOs on a weekly basis, the back-to-school operations represent a statewide effort to inspect alcohol retailers located near major colleges or universities. In total, TABC agents visited 1,144 alcohol retailers throughout August and September, finding just 81 violations, or a 93% compliance rate. “This data tells us that the vast majority of Texas alcohol retailers take their customers’ safety seriously and are already working to hold their employees accountable,” said Thomas Graham, TABC Executive Director. “These retailers understand that they are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing alcohol-related injury or death, and all of us at TABC are grateful for their continued dedication to maintaining safe communities.” Businesses found selling alcohol to a minor could face a fine or a possible suspension of their license to sell alcohol. Employees who sell alcohol to a minor could face a class A misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and one year in jail. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC agents seize illegal distillation equipment during Johnson County operation
AUSTIN — An anonymous tip led agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to uncover and seize illegal distilling equipment during a successful operation Sept. 1. Agents from TABC’s Arlington Regional Office led the operation to seize the still, which was discovered at a residence in Johnson County. The still was maintained in operable condition, meaning it could be used to manufacture illicit alcohol in violation of state law. During an interview with TABC agents, a person living at the residence admitted to owning the equipment. Section 103.02 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code prohibits any person from possessing equipment “designed for, capable of use for, or used in manufacturing an illicit beverage,” including the possession of distillation equipment without a TABC Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit. The Code allows peace officers to seize any illicit alcoholic beverages along with any equipment used in their manufacture. “This operation exemplifies TABC’s commitment to properly enforcing the law and ensuring the safety and integrity of the alcoholic beverage industry in Texas,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Not only does illicit alcohol risk the health and safety of anyone who consumes it, but it also undermines the efforts of law-abiding alcohol manufacturers, distributors and retailers who continue the do the right thing when operating their businesses.” Possession of illicit distillation equipment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $100–$1,000. The case remains under investigation. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreReminder: LPs must switch to new tax ID stamp portal
TABC wants to ensure that holders of a Local Distributor Permit (LP) are using the new online ordering portal for tax ID stamps, which launched in February 2023. The new tax ID stamps system is provided by OpSec Security. Please delete the previous tax ID stamps system link from your records and do not log in to the old system. Any stamps ordered from the old system are still valid. The image below shows how the new system’s log-in screen looks:
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: Sept. 1 deadline for in-state brewers and brewpubs to register malt beverages with TTB COLA and alcohol content
To: Holders of a Brewer’s License (BW) or Brewpub License (BP) Starting Sept. 1, 2023, in-state brewers and brewpubs must ensure that the alcohol by volume (ABV) is displayed on all malt beverage products that were registered before Sept. 1, 2021, and are still being sold in the stream of distribution. Each product must also have an approved Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on file with TABC.
Read moreTABC arrests Austin convenience store clerk for online solicitation of minor, illegal alcohol sales
AUSTIN — A joint operation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Department of Public Safety has resulted in the arrest of an Austin convenience store clerk on charges of online solicitation of a minor, sale of alcohol to a minor, and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Pedro Enrique Flores-Vasquez, 48, was taken into custody Aug. 11 and booked into the Travis County Jail. Flores-Vasquez, an employee of Hyde Park Market, 4429 Duval St. in Austin, remains in custody in lieu of a combined $34,000 bond. Online solicitation of a minor is a third-degree felony punishable by a prison sentence of between two to 10 years, along with a fine of up to $10,000. Selling alcohol to a minor and furnishing alcohol to a minor are both class A misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. The criminal case against Flores-Vasquez is pending. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreAgenda posted for commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 8, 2023
A regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. CDT.
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: Update to AIMS emails in July
Emails that license and permit holders receive from TABC’s Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) are getting a new design in July. Over the coming weeks, you will start seeing AIMS emails that look like the example image below. The new design has the gold TABC logo at the top, a dark blue background, and our social media icons at the bottom. We’re making these improvements to ensure all messages you receive from AIMS are consistent and easy to read. If you have questions about emails from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, contact us at (512) 206-3333. Get more help and information on using AIMS at our How to Use AIMS page.
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