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 Jan. 20, 2026, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission meeting, the board voted to take the following actions on agency rules.

Proposed Review of Rules

TABC has proposed the following review of rules to consider whether the reasons for initially adopting these rules continue to exist:

• Chapter 34, 16 TAC §§34.1 – 34.22, relating to Schedule of Sanctions and Penalties. 
• Chapter 35, 16 TAC §§35.1 – 35.4, relating to Enforcement. 
• Chapter 37, 16 TAC §§37.2 – 37.5, relating to Legal. 
• Chapter 39, 16 TAC §§39.1 – 39.5, relating to Port of Entry. 

Next steps: The rule review will be published in the Jan. 30 edition of the Texas Register. The public will have a 30-day comment period after the publication.

The agency will consider any written comments on the rule review received by 5 p.m. Central on March 2, 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 comment period ends on March 2, the rules will be eligible for repeal, readoption, or readoption without amendments at a subsequent TABC commission meeting. The next commission meeting is planned for March 24, 2026. 

Adopted New Rules and Amended Rules

• New rules for consumable hemp products, effective Jan. 21, 2026: 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. View rules.
• Amended rules and new rule to clarify current audit standards, effective Feb. 9, 2026: 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. View rules.
• Amended rules to clarify cash and credit law requirements, effective Feb. 9, 2026: Amended 16 TAC §45.130, relating to Credit Law and Delinquent List; and Amended §45.131, relating to Cash Law. View rules.

Note: TABC’s new rules for consumable hemp products, 35.5 and 35.6, replace the agency’s emergency rules 51.1 and 51.2, which expired on Jan. 21, 2026.

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.