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 March 24, 2026, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to take the following actions on agency rules.

TABC proposed the following:

• New Rule §35.7 (16 TAC §35.7), relating to Consumption of Consumable Hemp Products.
• Amendment to Rule §41.12 (16 TAC §41.12), relating to Compliance Reporting by License and Permit Holders.

Next steps: These proposed rules will be published in the April 10 edition of the Texas Register, which starts a 30-day public comment period ending on May 11. After the comment period ends, the rules will be eligible for adoption at a subsequent TABC commission meeting. 

The public may provide TABC with oral comments about the proposed rules during the agency’s online public hearing on Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m. Central time. View meeting details.

The public may provide TABC with written comments about the proposed rules, which the agency will consider if received by 5 p.m. Central on May 11, 2026. Email your comments to rules@tabc.texas.gov or mail them to the Office of General Counsel, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711-3127. 

TABC readopted the following rules after completing a regular review pursuant to Texas Government Code §2001.039:

• TABC Rule Chapter 37 (16 TAC §§37.2 – 37.5), relating to Legal. 
• TABC Rule Chapter 39 (16 TAC §§39.1 – 39.5), relating to Port of Entry. 

The most current version of TABC’s (and other agencies') administrative rules is maintained in the Texas Administrative Code, which can be accessed on the Secretary of State's website.

If you have questions about rules or commission action on rules, contact Amada Clopton, Office of General Counsel, at 512-206-3367 or amada.clopton@tabc.texas.gov.