INDUSTRY NOTICE: TABC Approves Amendment Extension To Continue Helping Businesses Reopen Safely

THIS INDUSTRY NOTICE IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. IT IS MAINTAINED HERE FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission today took the following actions related to TABC's Food and Beverage (FB) Certificate rule:

• Adopted an extension of emergency amendments to Rule 33.5, which remain effective until Feb. 20, 2021. This extension ensures that retailers who sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption may continue to more easily qualify for an FB Certificate in order to better handle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule amendments:
  • Remove the requirement to invest in expensive equipment.
  • Remove the requirement that food be prepared at the location (food service is enough).
  • Require FB Certificate holders and applicants to comply with all of the governor's applicable executive orders and all minimum standard health protocols.
  Read extension of emergency amendments.
• The commission took the first step toward making these changes permanent, beyond the Feb. 20 expiration date, by voting to publish the Rule 33.5 emergency amendments in the Texas Register to receive public comment.

Important note: Any establishment that is opened as a restaurant must follow the checklist from the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas. You can find that checklist here.

Many establishments that would have otherwise remained shuttered have been able to reopen and operate in a safe manner due to these amendments, and now they can continue doing so. Read the Qualifying as a Restaurant Under Executive Orders section on our Coronavirus Information page to learn more.