News
Catch up with the latest news and guidance from TABC. You can read our news releases, marketing practices advisories, licencing and audit bulletins, industry notifications, announcements, and articles.
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TABC makes arrest in connection to stolen alcohol shipments
A South Texas man has been arrested by agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on charges related to the theft of name-brand distilled spirits being shipped within the state. Mathew Tafolla, 37, was arrested Jan. 24 by TABC agents in Donna on a second-degree felony charge for theft of cargo. TABC agents were notified in July 2024 of a shipment of spirits that went missing while in transit. A joint investigation by TABC and several partnering law enforcement agencies – including the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations – resulted in TABC recovering the missing inventory in Dallas in late 2024. Further investigation identified a suspect, leading to Tafolla’s arrest on Friday. TABC’s identification and arrest of Tafolla came about as part of a larger on-going investigation by the agency into multiple alcohol cargo thefts that have occurred across Texas. “Theft of alcohol inventory not only hurts the affected business, It also hurts the people of Texas who are put at risk by the unregulated sales of these products on the black market,” TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. “This week’s arrest is a major step forward in this ongoing case, and TABC will continue working tirelessly on this investigation until the involved parties are held accountable.” Tafolla is currently being held in the Hildalgo County Jail. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreGov. Abbott appoints M. Scott Adkins, Chad M. Craycraft to serve on Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Chad M. Craycraft to serve on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, while reappointing current Commissioner M. Scott Adkins for a second term. Craycraft, a fifth-generation Texan raised in Georgetown, is a graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Texas School of Law. He is a state government veteran who has served in multiple roles within Texas government including previous service as chairman of the Texas Ethics Commission. Craycraft currently serves as executive vice president and general counsel at Graduation Alliance, an education technology firm. Adkins, a TABC commissioner since 2019, is president of fire and security company PyroCom Systems, as well as CEO of Currey Adkins, an information technology company. A graduate of Texas Christian University, Adkins also volunteers as a board member of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Las Palmas Del Sol Hospitals. “I couldn’t be more pleased with Governor Abbott’s decision to appoint Chad Craycraft to the Commission, and I’m proud to congratulate Scott Adkins on his appointment to a second term,” TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. “Scott’s expertise has been crucial throughout TABC’s technology modernization efforts, and I’m certain both he and Chad Craycraft will leverage their knowledge and experience as we work together to make TABC a model state agency.” “Leaders like Commissioner Adkins and Chad Craycraft are vital to ensuring TABC continues to successfully fulfill its mission of supporting businesses and protecting our communities,” TABC Executive Director Thomas W. Graham said. “I look forward to working with them both to provide accountability and excellent service to the alcoholic beverage industry and all Texans.” Members of the Commission are appointed by the governor and serve staggered terms. The board has ultimate oversight over TABC, which is responsible for regulating all aspects of the Texas alcoholic beverage industry. Adkins and Craycraft will begin their new terms as TABC commissioners after confirmation by the Texas Senate. If confirmed, both appointees’ terms would expire on Nov. 15, 2029. Adkins will continue his service at TABC under his initial appointment until his reappointment is confirmed. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: It's time to conduct your 2025 compliance report(s)
To: Holders of BW, BB, BC, BE, BF, BG, BQ, D, G, MB, N, NB, NE, P, Q, W, and X licenses and permits Re: Required compliance reporting for TABC-licensed businesses with Texas locations has started What: You must conduct a 2025 compliance report (i.e., self-inspection) for each of your listed TABC-licensed or permitted locations in Texas if the primary license or permit was originally issued in 2023 or before. No compliance report is due in 2025 for licenses and permits originally issued in 2024 or after. Note: While the top of this email lists licenses and permits associated with your email address that must submit a 2025 compliance report, it might not list all such licenses and permits for which a compliance report is due. To view all such permits and their reporting status, log in to AIMS. Why: Compliance reporting helps us confirm that your business is following the law. Failing to file a report on time could cause a visit from TABC, an administrative warning, or suspension or cancellation of the license. When: Start and finish your compliance report(s) between Jan. 1, 2025, and June 30, 2025.
Read moreINDUSTRY NOTICE: Avoiding tier violations when using B2B e-commerce platforms
To: TABC-licensed and -permitted distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and stakeholders Re: Avoiding tier violations when using B2B e-commerce platforms TABC is aware that multiple business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platforms have entered the Texas market, and some retailers are using these platforms to place or facilitate their alcoholic beverage orders with distributors and wholesalers. The agency is also aware that some distributors and wholesalers have contracted with e-commerce platforms to serve as one of the wholesaler’s or distributor’s designated ordering platforms. This is a significant development in Texas’s alcoholic beverage industry, so I want to take this opportunity to stress to all interested parties that TABC still enforces a strict separation between the manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing levels of the industry. Members of the industry remain free to run their respective businesses as they see fit, within the confines of the law; however, a member of one tier of the industry may not manage or control the business or interests of a member of another tier. To that point, if a retailer attempted to force a distributor or wholesaler to use or accept orders from a particular e-commerce platform, that may constitute a violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Code (“Code”). TABC will investigate such allegations for potential enforcement action. While e-commerce platform operators are generally not licensed by TABC, they must still abide by the Code. If a platform operator changes, redirects, or otherwise interferes with the fulfillment of an alcoholic beverage order placed by a retailer, TABC will investigate to determine if a violation occurred. TABC’s goal is to provide a healthy regulatory environment for the Texas alcoholic beverage industry to ensure public safety while also supporting businesses. The emergence of e-commerce platforms does not change that goal, and we will closely monitor how these platforms operate to help ensure the health of the industry and the safety of Texans. If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact TABC in writing at P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711; by email at marketing.practices@tabc.texas.gov; or by phone at 512-206-3411. Sincerely, Thomas W. Graham Executive Director
Read moreMeeting documents posted for Nov. 14 commission meeting
TABC has posted meeting documents to BoardDocs for the commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Central time.
Read moreAgenda posted for Nov. 14 commission meeting
Join us in person or online for a regularly scheduled meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
Read moreTABC, Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance take action against nine Houston-area bars on allegations of human trafficking, prostitution
HOUSTON — More than 200 peace officers and employees from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and other local, state, and federal agencies converged on nine Houston-area bars suspected of engaging in human trafficking during a series of operations conducted Oct. 18. The joint action resulted in TABC suspending the nine businesses’ liquor licenses, as well as the removal of 84 suspected victims from the premises. The operation is believed to be the largest such investigation of suspected human trafficking at TABC-licensed businesses in state history, according to TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly. “This operation’s success is the result of careful investigation, undercover work, and coordination between TABC and our partners in the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance,” Lilly said. “Human trafficking is a stain on our society, and it’s unfortunately more prevalent than most Texans realize. I couldn’t be prouder of our peace officers for their diligence, their willingness to work across agency lines, and their commitment to putting the safety of the victims first.” The investigation was made possible through the close working relationship between TABC and its partners in the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance (HTRA), Lilly added. “All of us within the Texas law enforcement community are committed to keeping our fellow Texans safe, as well as protecting anyone who’s been victimized by human traffickers,” he said. “I believe the men and women of the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance are an incredible credit to their agencies and all of Texas.” The locations’ TABC licenses were suspended as outlined in Section 11.614 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, which authorizes the agency to suspend a business’s liquor license for up to 90 days if the commission determines “that the continued operation of a permitted or licensed business would constitute a continuing threat to public welfare.” Licenses and permits suspended during the Oct. 18 operation include: El Flamingo Club, 3715 Aldine Mail Route Koko Bongo, 955 Federal Road Los Escorpiones #2, 1636 Federal Road Los Escorpiones #5, 2815 Luell St. El Cruzero Sports Bar, 7715 W. Hardy Road Bora Bora Sports Bar, 11028 Aldine Westfield Road El Rinconcito Night Club, 743 Freeport St. La Condesa, 8810 Jensen Drive Las Margaritas Night Club, 210 E. Little York Road No alcohol may be served or sold at the locations while the businesses’ TABC licenses/permits are suspended. The case remains under investigation by TABC, the Houston Police Department, and other members of HTRA. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreAgenda posted for Oct. 3 stakeholder meeting
Join TABC staff virtually to discuss draft rules for publication on Oct. 3, 2024, 10-11 a.m. Central time. This meeting will be held by Zoom only.
Read moreSept. 24 commission meeting agenda posted
Join us for the next regular meeting of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 10:30 a.m. Central time.
Read moreWinery Study published on TABC website
The 88th Texas Legislature directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to study the privileges granted to winery permits and other wine industry issues, and to report the findings to the Legislature by Aug. 31, 2024. In conducting this study, TABC analyzed various data, gathered input from alcoholic beverage businesses and trade associations, reviewed wine regulations in other states, and consulted with the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. As of Aug. 30, 2024, TABC has completed and submitted the report to the Texas Legislature, and it is now available on the agency's website. Access the report by visiting TABC Reports and Publications or by downloading it below. TABC extends its gratitude to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and all stakeholders who contributed to this study.
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