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 Sept. 22, 2026, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to take the following actions on agency rules.

• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 31: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §31.2, relating to State Owned Motor Vehicles, and 16 TAC §31.3, relating to Petition for the Adoption of a Rule; and the repeal of Rules 16 TAC §31.5, relating to Public Act Requests, 16 TAC §31.6, relating to Information Establishment of Advisory Committees, 16 TAC §31.7, relating to Internal Audit Advisory Committee, 16 TAC §31.8, relating to Advisory Committee on Major Information Technology Projects, and 16 TAC §31.9, relating to Public Safety Advisory Committee. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 33: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §33.5, relating to Food and Beverage Certificate, 16 TAC §33.40, relating to General Provisions, 16 TAC §33.41, relating to Conduct Surety Bonds, and 16 TAC §33.42, relating to Performance Bonds. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 34: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §34.1, relating to General Provisions, 16 TAC §34.2, relating to Schedule of Sanctions and Penalties for Health, Safety and Welfare Violations, 16 TAC §34.3, relating to Offenses Against the General Welfare; Place or Manner Violations, 16 TAC §34.4, relating to Suspensions, 16 TAC §34.10, relating to Sanctions for Regulatory Violations, and 16 TAC §34.20, relating to Attribution of Actions of Employee to License or Permit Holder. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 35: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §35.3, relating to Risked-Based Inspection of Licensed and Permitted Premises; and 16 TAC §35.7, relating to Consumption of Consumable Hemp Products. Read more.
• Proposed Revision to Chapter 37: Repeal of Rule 16 TAC §37.5, relating to Determining Population. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 39: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §39.1, relating to Personal Importation; and the repeal of Rules 16 TAC §39.2, relating to Calculation of Taxes Due, and 16 TAC §39.4, relating to Table of Taxes Due for Liquor. Read more.
• Proposed Revision to Chapter 41: Amendment to Rule 16 TAC §41.12, relating to Compliance Reporting by License and Permit Holders. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 45: Amendments to Rule 16 TAC §45.121, relating to Advertising Standards Required. Read more.
• Proposed Revisions to Chapter 50: Amendments to Rules 16 TAC §50.17, relating to Application for Primary Internet-Based Seller Server School Certificates; and 16 TAC §50.20, relating to Application for Branch In-House Seller Server Certificate. Read more.

The proposed rule revisions will be included in the issue of the Texas Register published Oct. 9, 2026, and the public will have 30 days to submit comments about them. After the comment period ends on Nov. 9, 2026, the proposed rule revisions will be eligible for adoption at a subsequent TABC commission meeting.

The public may provide TABC with oral comments about the proposed rule revisions during an online public hearing hosted by the agency on Oct. 29, 2026, at 10 a.m. Central. View the hearing agenda and register for the hearing on Zoom.

The public may provide TABC with written comments about the proposed rule revisions by emailing them to rules@tabc.texas.gov or by mailing them to Office of General Counsel, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711-3127. TABC will consider the comments it receives by 5 p.m. Central on Nov. 9, 2026.

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.