TABC Legislative Updates

Major changes from the 86th Legislature went into effect Sept. 1, 2021. See what this means for businesses on our TABC 2021 Changes page.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code is subject to amendment by the Texas Legislature during regular or special sessions. The Legislature meets for regular sessions starting in January every odd-numbered year. Changes to the Code start on the effective date listed in a bill once the bill is passed by the Legislature and effectively signed into law by the Texas governor.

See the most recent changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Code:

This applies to:

• Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG)
• Wine and Malt Beverage Off-Premise Permit (BQ)
• Retail Dealer ’s On-Premise License (BE)
• Retail Dealer’s Off-Premise License (BF)
• Wine-Only Package Store (Q)

Under the law, these license holders may sell wine and malt beverages for off-premises consumption beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Starting Sept. 1, 2021, a person who is a registered guest of a hotel may consume or possess alcoholic beverages in the hotel bar at any time. The hotel bar may also sell alcohol at any time.

A hotel bar is an establishment in a hotel that holds a permit allowing on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages.