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. 23, 2025, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to take the following actions on agency rules.

Proposed New Rules and Amended Rules

• Amendments to rules 16 TAC §33.72, relating to term of authorization and the annual limitation on authorizations; §33.77, relating to requests for temporary event approval; and §33.81, relating to purchase of alcohol for a temporary event. Read more.
• Amendment to rule 16 TAC §34.10, relating to sanctions for regulatory violations. Read more.
• New 16 TAC §41.28, relating to Passenger Transportation Permit (T) storage registration. Read more.
• Amendment to rule 16 TAC §45.40, relating to certification of registration for a malt beverage product. Read more.
• New 16 TAC §45.44, relating to requirements for Nonresident Brewer’s Licenses (BN). Read more.
• New 16 TAC §45.132, relating to a wholesaler delinquent to a distiller and rectifier. Read more.

Next steps: These proposed new rules and amended rules will be published in the Oct. 10 edition of the Texas Register. The public will have a 30-day comment period following publication.

TABC will hold a public hearing by Zoom on Oct. 23, from 10-11 a.m. Central time to discuss the proposed rules. Anyone may participate online and provide oral comments about the proposed rules.

TABC will consider any written comments on the proposed rules that the agency receives by 5 p.m. Central on Nov. 9, 2025. Send your comments to rules@tabc.texas.gov or the Office of General Counsel, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711-3127. 

The board will vote on the new rules and amended rules at a commission meeting after the comment period closes.

New Emergency Rules Adopted

• 16 TAC §51.1, relating to prohibited sales of consumable hemp products to minors
• 16 TAC §51.2, relating to mandatory age verification for consumable hemp product sales. 

Read more.

Next steps: Both emergency rules went into effect on Sept. 23, 2025, and may be in effect for up to 180 days. TABC will soon begin the standard rulemaking process to formally adopt rules substantively similar to Emergency Rule 51.1 and Emergency Rule 51.2. 

TABC will hold a stakeholder meeting by Zoom on Oct. 9 and expects to propose the rules for publication in the Texas Register at the Nov. 18 commission meeting. If the board votes to publish the rules at that meeting, there will be a 30-day formal comment period and then the rules will be eligible for adoption in January 2026.  

Rules Readopted

• 16 TAC §§41.1-41.65, relating to auditing. Read more.
  • The agency completed its review of these rules and did not receive any comments. The board readopted them without amendments in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
• 16 TAC §§45.101 – 45.127, relating to advertising and promotion; and 16 TAC §§45.130 – 45.131, relating to the regulation of cash and credit transactions. Read more.
  • The agency completed its review of these rules and received six public comments. The board readopted the rules without amendments.

Additional Information

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 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.