TABC Code and Rules

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (the Code) is a set of laws adopted by the Texas Legislature that establishes how the alcoholic beverage industry may operate. Texas law gives TABC the authority to adopt Administrative Rules when necessary to explain how it implements provisions of the Code and what businesses must do to remain in compliance. 

Use this page to access the Code and TABC’s Rules and their recent changes, learn about TABC’s rule adoption process, and review the Commission’s latest rule actions.

The Code is published online by the Texas Legislative Council. Look up and view specific provisions by clicking the link below and choosing "Alcoholic Beverage Code" in the Code dropdown menu. You can then filter by chapter and section.

View the entire Code in one PDF by clicking the link below.

The TABC Rules are located in Title 16, Part 3 of the Texas Administrative Code. You can access the TABC Rules through the Secretary of State's site and view them by chapter and subchapter by clicking the link below.

You can also view all of TABC’s Rules in one PDF that is maintained by TABC by clicking the link below.

1. Agency staff drafts a rule.
2. Staff usually holds a stakeholder meeting open to the public to gather feedback.
3. Commission votes on publishing the proposed rule for comment.
4. Proposed rule published in the Texas Register.
5. For 30 days after publication, members of the public can file written comments with the agency.
6. Staff holds a public hearing and receives oral comments.
7. Commission votes on adoption of rule.
8. Adopted rule published in Texas Register.
9. Rule becomes effective.

This process is also followed for rule amendments and repeals. Throughout the process, staff may revise rules based on public feedback. A rule may repeat a step in certain instances, such as being tabled at a commission meeting to be sent to another stakeholder meeting to incorporate additional feedback.

A calendar of stakeholder meetings, commission meetings and public hearings is maintained on the TABC Agency Meetings and Events page. You can also sign up to receive email notifications by registering for the Industry Notifications email list through the agency's Social Media and Email Signup page.

At the June 24, 2025, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to initiate a review of the following rules:

• Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 16, Chapter 41, Auditing.
• 16 TAC §§45.101 – 127, Advertising and Promotion.
• 16 TAC §§45.130 – 45.131, Regulation of Cash and Credit Transactions. 

Purpose: State law requires state agencies like TABC to periodically review their administrative rules to determine whether the reasons for initially adopting these rules continue to exist and if they should be repealed, readopted, or amended.

Next steps: This rule review will be published in the July 4 edition of the Texas Register, and the public will have a 30-day comment period following publication.

TABC will consider any written comments on the rule review that are received by TABC no later than 5 p.m. Central time on Aug. 3, 2025. Send your comments to rules@tabc.texas.gov or the Office of General Counsel, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711-3127. 

The board will complete its rule review by taking a vote at a commission meeting following the close of the comment period to readopt the rules, readopt them with amendments, or repeal the rules. 

Additional Information

The most current version of TABC’s (and other agencies') administrative rules is maintained on the Secretary of State website.

If you have questions about rules or commission action on rules, contact Amada Clopton, Office of General Counsel, at 512-206-3492 or amada.clopton@tabc.texas.gov.