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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 moreVirtual public hearing scheduled for Dec. 14
Join TABC staff by video conference to discuss proposed rules published by the commission, which may be considered for adoption at TABC’s next commission meeting. This meeting will take place by video conference on Thursday, Dec. 14, 10 to 11 a.m. CST. Summary for Ch. 33 Rule Amendments: TABC proposes to amend rules in Chapter 33 relating to the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages at temporary events. The proposed amendments primarily implement new laws authorizing distilled spirits samplings or tastings at certain temporary events and the sale of wine and malt beverages at certain racing events. The proposed amendments clarify the requirements and responsibilities that permittees must follow to legally sell or provide alcoholic beverages at temporary events. Summary for 16 TAC §41.25 Amendment: TABC proposes to amend Rule §41.25 relating to the sampling of distilled spirits by permittees. The proposed amendment implements a new law authorizing distilled spirits samplings or tastings at certain temporary events. The proposed amendment clarifies that distilled spirits taken from a permittee’s inventory for a sampling or tasting event are subject to excise taxes. Summary for 16 TAC §45.117 Amendment: TABC proposes to amend Rule §45.117 relating to advertising specialties provided to retailers by certain permittees. Currently, the amount of advertising specialties allowed under the law is set in the TABC Rules. The proposed amendment would allow the executive director to set that amount by order rather than through the rulemaking process. Summary for Ch. 50 Rule Amendments: TABC proposes to amend rules in Chapter 50 relating to seller/server training. The proposed amendments increase the minimum time of active instruction and student participation in seller server training from 120 minutes to 140 minutes to account for new opioid-related training mandated by law. The proposed amendments also simplify the process for updating the curriculum for seller server training. The full text of the proposed rules is now available in the Texas Register. The commission has designated this hearing as the only forum to make oral comments under Government Code Section 2001.029. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and make informal comments that do not become part of the public record. If you can't attend the video conference hearing, you may file written comments until Dec. 31, 2023. Written comments may be submitted to rules@tabc.texas.gov or the Office of the General Counsel, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711-3127. You can watch live from your internet browser where you can submit public comments through the chat feature. You can also listen live by calling the phone number below. Conference call line: +1 669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 161 156 7273 iPhone one-click dialing: +16692545252,,1611567273#
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
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