Texas loosens alcohol-selling rules for restaurants

The lifeline Texas offered to bars and restaurants during the pandemic is permanent.

On May 12, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1024, also known as the alcohol-to-go law, allowing businesses in Texas with food and beverage permits to sell mixed drinks, wine and beer with food orders for pickup or delivery starting Sept. 1.

Legislators passed the House bill on April 28 with the Senate approving it 30-1; state Sen. Charles Perry was the only dissenting vote on the bill’s third read, according to Texas Legislature records.

The bill, authored by state Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Tarrant County, and sponsored by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, came to fruition after Texas opened food and beverage laws with a temporary mixed-drink delivery order in late June as dine-in restrictions and bar closures were reinstated.

HB 1024 was backed by numerous beer and liquor sellers in Texas, especially after the state passed a law allowing craft breweries to sell beer to go in 2019. Now, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is urging food and beverage businesses to apply and renew their permits and licenses before a month-long pause as the state transitions to a new online alcohol industry management system.

Courtesy Austin Business Journal. See full article here.