Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission kicks off annual Spring Break, festival safety operation
AUSTIN — Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are ramping up efforts to curb underage drinking and intoxicated driving across the state as part of the agency’s annual spring break safety operation.
The operation, which includes both undercover and open inspections of TABC-licensed alcohol retailers, seeks to identify businesses that violate state law by selling alcohol to people younger than 21. More than 200 TABC Enforcement agents and members of the agency’s Targeted Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) unit are taking part in the effort.
“Spring break is an opportunity for Texans to celebrate with some well-earned time off and support the thriving tourism and entertainment industries in our state,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Our goal with this operation is to ensure businesses do the right thing and prevent alcohol sales that could endanger public safety.”
Throughout the spring break period, TABC agents will conduct additional “minor sales investigations” at businesses in cities with colleges or universities, as well as popular destinations along Texas’s Gulf Coast and its travel corridors. During a minor sales investigation, undercover TABC agents work to identify any business selling alcohol to a minor.
Visible TABC agents will also patrol popular travel destinations and festival locations, such as Austin’s SXSW music festival, to ensure retailers are complying with state law.
“This operation serves a dual purpose,” Graham said. “We first and foremost want to serve as a resource that educates businesses on how to stay in compliance with state law but we also want to take corrective action to get a business back on track if that becomes necessary. In the leadup to spring break, and throughout the month of March, our agents and auditors will be available to answer questions and respond to complaints, both in popular spring break destinations and across the state.”
Similar operations in past years recorded an average compliance rate over 90 percent. In total, TABC regulates more than 60,000 licensed alcohol retail locations across the state.
Selling alcohol to a person younger than 21 is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000, jail time for up to one year, or both. Any business found in violation could also face a fine or possible suspension of their TABC license to sell alcoholic beverages.
For more information about TABC, or to download free educational resources, visit tabc.texas.gov.
Media Contact:
Chris Porter
TABC Director of Communications
(512) 206-3462