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.
For media inquiries and other public information, visit the Public Information page.
Compliance reporting deadline extended to May 31
You must conduct and file a compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your TABC licenses and permits listed above between Jan. 1 and March 31 each year. Failure to timely file your report(s) could result in a warning, fine, or the inability to renew your license or permit. However, TABC is extending the deadline to May 31 this year as businesses are conducting their reports within the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) for the first time, and certain license/permit holders could not access the new compliance reporting feature initially. Some users also needed more time to set up their accounts properly for the compliance reporting feature. All licensed and permitted premises in Texas should begin conducting compliance reports now — including Package Store Permit (P), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG), or Brewer's License (BW) with subordinate permits such as a Local Cartage Permit, Brewpub License, Late Hours Certificate, and more. If you have already completed and submitted an annual compliance report for each of your licensed and permitted locations in Texas this year, thank you! No further action is needed.
Read moreMeeting agenda posted for March 26 commission meeting
A regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Central time.
Read moreTABC conducting spring break public safety operations throughout March
AUSTIN — Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be in liquor stores, bars, beaches, and other locations where alcohol is sold throughout March as the agency kicks off its annual spring break public safety operations. Dozens of TABC’s more-than 200 commissioned peace officers will take part in the operations, which identify locations where alcohol is sold to minors in violation of state law. Planned operations for 2024 include underage compliance operations, in which TABC agents attempt to identify businesses selling alcohol to people younger than 21. “The spring festival season, including spring break and a number of popular events across the state, is among the busiest times for alcohol retailers,” said Thomas Graham, TABC executive director. “Each year, TABC makes it a point to empower our retailers to identify some of the most common violations and take steps to help keep their business and communities safe.” Prior to the operations, TABC auditors often visit alcohol retailers in the most popular spring break destinations to provide training and answer questions about best practices related to preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. One such meeting took place on South Padre Island in mid-February, giving retailers there a chance to learn about best practices for avoiding safety risks such as illicit alcohol sales. “The ultimate goal is not to penalize retailers who are doing their best to conduct business during a busy time,” Graham said. “What we want to do first and foremost is to ensure they have the tools they need to successfully operate while keeping their customers and employees safe.” Businesses that sell alcohol to people under 21 could face a civil fine or suspension of their license to sell alcohol. Employees who conduct the sale could also find themselves charged with a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail. For more information about TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC agent responds to active shooter situation at Lakewood Church
AUSTIN — An off-duty agent of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission was among multiple commissioned peace officers who responded to a shooting at Houston’s Lakewood Church around 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. TABC Agent Adrian Herrera was working off duty as a security officer at the church when a person opened fire with a long rifle in the lobby of the building. Herrera and another officer responded by engaging the shooter and neutralizing the threat. Officials from TABC’s Law Enforcement Department and the agency’s Office of Inspector General are working with local and state investigators to determine what led to the shooting. Per agency policy, Herrera has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal TABC investigation into the shooting. He has been employed by TABC for approximately five years. “While we are still gathering the facts on what took place at Lakewood Church, I can say that I’m extremely proud of the quick response of our agent as well as the other law enforcement agents on the scene,” TABC Chairman Kevin Lilly said. “These officers likely prevented a much greater tragedy through their brave actions.” “TABC agents are trained to respond to situations such as this as part of their duties,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “As Texas peace officers, each of our agents are committed to protecting lives and keeping the people of Texas safe.” The shooting remains under investigation by TABC, the Houston Police Department, and the Texas Rangers. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreMeeting documents posted for Jan. 23 commission meeting in El Paso
A regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled in El Paso for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. MST (11:30 a.m. CST).
Read moreFree webinar to help fight human trafficking offered by TABC and Texas Restaurant Association
AUSTIN — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Texas Restaurant Association are conducting a free webinar on Jan. 18 to educate people working in the alcoholic beverage industry on the warning signs of human trafficking and how to report it. The joint webinar is part of both groups’ efforts to commemorate Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The annual observance, announced by Gov. Greg Abbott on Jan. 3, is intended to raise awareness of human trafficking while empowering Texans to report suspected crime. TABC has a statutory directive to prevent criminal activity at TABC-licensed locations, and human trafficking is among the many crimes the agency works to stop. The webinar will help business owners and their employees identify the signs of human trafficking and report concerning activity to law enforcement, according to TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham. “Our best tool to fight human trafficking is the eyes and ears of all Texans,” Graham said. “TABC is proud to work with our partners in the Texas Restaurant Association and the alcoholic beverage industry to help make a safer Texas for all.” TABC and the TRA have a long history of partnering to promote public safety through webinars, in-person training and other initiatives. “Human trafficking is a preventable crime that occurs throughout Texas,” said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., TRA president and CEO. “We’re proud to work hand-in-hand with TABC to empower our industry so we can lead in the effort to stop this human trafficking in Texas.” The free online webinar begins at 2 p.m. CST Thursday, Jan. 18. Participants can register at https://bit.ly/3SaiaQX. Industry members can also request a recording of the webinar by emailing Erica Valdriz at evaldriz@txrestaurant.org. For information on the Texas Restaurant Association, visit txrestaurant.org. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. MEDIA CONTACT for TABC: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 – media@tabc.texas.gov MEDIA CONTACT for Texas Restaurant Association: ECPR Texas Nico Ramsey, (512) 516-0302 Camryn Lees, (262) 490-9380 TRA@ecprtexas.com
Read moreAgenda posted for El Paso commission meeting scheduled for Jan. 23, 2024
A regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled in El Paso for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. MST (11:30 a.m. CST).
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: It's time to conduct annual compliance reports
You are required to conduct a compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your licensed/permitted locations in Texas. The report requires your business to answer a series of questions about its operations and take certain photos at its premises to confirm it is following applicable laws. When: Begin and complete your compliance report(s) anytime between *Jan. 1 and March 31, 2024. *EXCEPTION: For holders of any primary license/permit that is accompanied by a combination of subordinates and/or certificates as displayed below, you may not begin your compliance report on Jan. 1. Instead, we will contact you later in 2024 and will provide you with a different reporting period. Permit combinations that begin their report(s) on a later date P + LP BG + BP + E BG + E BG + BP + FB + E BG + FB +E BG + BP + LH + E BG + LH + E BG + BP + FB + LH + E BG + FB + LH + E BW + SD If you hold a P, BG, or BW by itself (without the above combination of subordinates and/or certificates), you are still required to file your compliance report between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2024. It is only if you have one of the above combinations that you will begin your reports at a later date that TABC will provide you. For example, a Package Store Permit (P) without an LP must file their report between Jan. 1 and March 31, as will the holder of a BG that doesn’t have any subordinates or certificates. How: Conduct your compliance report by using the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) on your Android or Apple mobile device.
Read moreTABC launches new Opioid-Related Drug Overdose training course
AUSTIN — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has launched a new training course intended to help certain alcohol retailers recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and give them the skills to intervene with lifesaving measures. The course was developed by the agency after a new law took effect on Sept. 1, 2023. Senate Bill 998, authored by state Sen. Royce West and adopted by the 88th Texas Legislature, requires certain Mixed Beverage and Private Club permit holders, and certain members of their staff, to complete an opioid overdose training course provided by TABC each year. The law was crafted in response to the ongoing opioid crisis in America. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 150 Americans die each day from opioid-related overdoses, including illegally produced opioids such as heroin and fentanyl. “Texas continues to lead the fight against the fentanyl crisis that is plaguing our state and our nation,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “With this new Opioid-Related Drug Overdose training course, we will help ensure alcohol retailers and their staff know how to keep their customers safe from fentanyl and other opioid poisonings. I thank the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for their ongoing efforts in our comprehensive statewide ‘One Pill Kills’ campaign. Their hard work, and the new laws I signed this year, will help save the lives of Texans each and every day.” Abbott signed SB 998 into law in June. West, whose Senate district includes portions of Dallas County, said his bill is aimed at reducing overdose deaths across Texas. “Not a week passes without hearing of another opioid-related death. The course developed by TABC following the passage of SB 998 will instruct those who work in venues where alcohol is sold on how to identify a person in the stages of an opioid overdose and train them to administer an opioid antagonist,” West said. “SB 998 creates a safety net in this fight against the fentanyl and opioid-related deaths that continue to devastate our communities. SB 998 and the resultant training will help save lives.” TABC’s Opioid-Related Drug Overdose course provides bar owners, managers, and their staff with an overview of opioid overdoses, including the symptoms and warning signs, as well as steps to take if they identify a person suffering from an possible overdose. The lifesaving steps include the administration of a medication called naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save a life. “Studies show that 1 in 4 Texans have experienced an overdose or know someone who has,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “This training will support alcohol retailers with the knowledge and skills they need to both protect their customers from the harmful and sometimes lethal effects these drugs can have.” TABC’s Opioid-Related Drug Overdose course is now available for free on the new TABC Education webpage: tabc.texas.gov/texas-alcohol-laws-regulations/tabc-education/. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: Annual compliance reporting period starts Jan. 1
To: Holders of BW, BB, BC, BE, BF, BG, BQ, D, G, MB, N, NB, NE, P, Q, W, and X licenses and permits Re: Required compliance reporting for TABC-licensed businesses with Texas locations starts soon What: You are required to conduct a compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your licensed/permitted locations in Texas. The report requires your business to answer a series of questions about its operations and take certain photos at the premises to confirm the business is following applicable laws. When: Begin and complete your compliance report(s) anytime between Jan. 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024. * *Exceptions: For holders of any primary license/permit that is accompanied by a combination of subordinates and/or certificates as displayed in the table below, do NOT begin your compliance report on Jan. 1. Instead, we will contact you later in 2024 to provide you with a different reporting period. Permit combinations that begin their report(s) on a later date P + LP BG + BP + E BG + E BG + BP + FB + E BG + FB +E BG + BP + LH + E BG + LH + E BG + BP + FB + LH + E BG + FB + LH + E BW + SD If you hold a P, BG, or BW by itself (without the above combination of subordinates and/or certificates), you are still required to file your compliance report between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2024. It is only if you have one of the above combinations that you will begin your reports at a later date that TABC will provide you. For example, a Package Store Permit (P) without an LP must file their report between Jan. 1 and March 31, as will the holder of a BG that doesn’t have any subordinates or certificates. How: Conduct your compliance report by using the Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS) on your mobile device.
Read more