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 Nov. 18, 2025, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to take the following actions on agency rules.

Proposed New Rules and Amended Rules

• Proposed new rules for consumable hemp products: New 16 TAC §35.5, relating to Prohibited Sales of Consumable Hemp Products to Minors, and New §35.6, relating to Mandatory Age Verification for Consumable Hemp Product Sales. Read full text.
• Proposed amended rules and new rule to clarify current audit standards: Amended 16 TAC §41.37, relating to Destructions; Amended §41.43, relating to Sale after Cancellation, Expiration, or Voluntary Suspense of License or Permit; Amended §41.50, relating to General Provisions; Amended §41.52, relating to Temporary Memberships; Amended §41.53, relating to Pool Systems; Amended §41.65, relating to Contract Distilling Arrangements and Distillery Alternating Proprietorships; and New §41.57, relating to Purchase of Certain Alcoholic Beverages. Read full text.
• Proposed amended rules to clarify cash and credit law requirements: Amended 16 TAC §45.130, relating to Credit Law and Delinquent List; and Amended §45.131, relating to Cash Law. Read full text.

Next steps: These proposed new rules and amended rules will be published in the Dec. 5 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 Dec. 11, from 10-11 a.m. Central time, to discuss the proposed rules. Anyone may participate online and provide oral comments about the proposed rules.

The agency will consider any written comments on the proposed rules that the agency receives by 5 p.m. Central on Jan. 4, 2026. 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. 

After the 30-day formal comment period ends on Jan. 4, these proposed new rules and amended rules will be eligible for adoption at a subsequent TABC commission meeting. The next planned commission meeting will take place on Jan. 20, 2026. 

Adopted New Rules and Amended Rules

• Amended rules to implement Texas Senate Bill (SB) 1577 (89th Regular Session): Amended Rule 16 TAC §33.72, relating to Term of Authorization, Annual Limitation on Authorizations; Amended Rule §33.77, relating to Request for Temporary Event Approval; and Amended Rule §33.81, relating to Purchase of Alcohol for a Temporary Event. Read rule text.
• New and amended rules to implement Texas House Bill (HB) 4463 (89th Regular Session): Amended Rule 16 TAC §45.40, relating to Certification of Registration for a Malt Beverage Product, and New Rule 16 TAC §45.44, relating to Requirements Relating to Nonresident Brewer’s Licenses. Read rule text.
• Amended rule to implement SB 1355 (89th Regular Session): Amended Rule 16 TAC §34.10, relating to Sanctions for Regulatory Violations. Read more.
• New rule to implement SB 1355 (89th Regular Session): New Rule 16 TAC §45.132, relating to Wholesaler Delinquent to Distiller and Rectifier. Read rule text.
• New rule to implement HB 4285 (89th Regular Session): New Rule 16 TAC §41.28, relating to Passenger Transportation Permit Storage Registration. Read rule text. 

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.