Bills: SB 8, SB 650, SB 667, SB 779, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1378, SB 1585, SB 1721, SB 2312

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, public nuisance, civil actions, legal claims, abatement, Texas law, transnational repression, foreign law enforcement, criminal offenses, law enforcement training, first amendment rights, public safety, liquor, distiller, wholesaler

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1442 decreases the licensing fee for Distillers from $3,125 to $1,000 dollars.
• A micro distiller is described as someone who, among Distillers from $3,125 to $1,000 dollars.
• Do you know how many distillers would possibly go to a micro distiller if this law were to pass?
• moved down to the micro distiller level in the fee structure.
• would move down to the micro distiller category based upon the volume of their production.

Bills: SB1241, SB1242, SB1442, SB1592, SB1623, SB1625, SB1913, SB1940, SB1949, SB2102, SB592, SB992

Keywords: ticket sales, resale, consumer protection, fraud, bots, transparency, refunds, event tickets, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana license, commercial grower, grow operation, bond requirement, land reclamation fee, revolving fund, environmental remediation, redevelopment, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA

Bills: SB65, SB444, SB592, SB640, SB1242, SB1257, SB1304, SB1501, SB1642, SB1946, SB2178

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Bills: SB1254, SB1431, SB1478, SB1566, SB1787

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial commission, safety regulations, employee protection, penalties, compliance, municipal planning, homeowners associations, design regulations, property rights, building permits, single-family homes, liquor, alcohol, spirituous liquor, liquor license, liquor licensing, Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, restaurant to-go cocktails, mixed cocktails

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1566, which would prohibit municipalities and counties from maliciously delaying licensing, permits, or approvals, authorize the Attorney General to enforce the prohibition, and provide expedited judicial review. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address affordability by preventing intentional government delays in housing and business approvals. County representatives supported the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing the county language differed from the city/town language and could sweep in ordinary processing delays or incomplete applications; the sponsor said a floor amendment would fix the county language. Testimony from supporters described long permit and parcel-number delays and argued the bill would give applicants a remedy against intentional obstruction. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a 7-3 vote, with one present and one absent. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1787, which would require written notice for exactions imposed on development projects, allow individualized determinations, and create an appeal path including judicial review. The sponsor framed it as a takings and affordability measure to stop unrelated or excessive exactions from being imposed on housing projects. Cities and counties opposed the bill, saying existing law already requires nexus and proportionality, already provides an appeal process, and that the bill would create a duplicative Attorney General review and confusion, especially for mixed-use projects. Supporters, including Pacific Legal Foundation, the Home Builders Association, and a homeowner who described a costly infrastructure demand on her property, argued the bill would curb extortionate demands and make the process fairer. The committee passed the bill 7-2 with one present and one absent. Senate Bill 1478, a liquor-regulation cleanup bill, was also heard and received broad support. The measure makes technical changes to liquor statutes, including clarifying interim permits, repealing a federal food-safety preemption provision, and updating definitions such as cider and production terminology. Industry stakeholders said the bill was the product of months of consensus work and mostly technical corrections. It passed unanimously, 10-0. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1431, which would limit municipal control over home design features and prohibit certain required shared amenities that would necessitate HOA maintenance. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would reduce housing costs by preventing subjective aesthetic mandates and unnecessary HOA-driven requirements, while opponents from cities and neighborhood groups warned it would undermine local control, crime-prevention design standards, neighborhood character, and quality. Home builders and property-rights advocates said the bill would expand consumer choice and reduce costs, while critics argued it could lead to lower-quality housing and remove local recourse. The bill was not reported out in the portion provided, and testimony continued with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, some wholesalers in our state are delinquent in their payments to Texas distillers. Mr.
• These late or sometimes nonpayments are causing our smallest distillers to have to lay off employees,
• The distiller may then report the delinquency in writing to TABC.
• I'm the owner of Bent Distilling Company in Lewisville, Texas, and I'm here today to testify. Ms.
• I'm the owner of Bent Distilling Company in Lewisville, Texas, and I'm here today to testify. Ms.

Bills: SB8, SB650, SB667, SB779, SB1349, SB1355, SB1378, SB1585, SB1721, SB2312

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs resumed consideration of several pending bills, first taking up Senate Bills 667, 1349, 1585, and 2312. After inviting testimony had already been heard, no members of the public came forward to testify on any of those measures, and the committee closed public testimony and left all four bills pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1355, which Senator Parker explained as a committee substitute aimed at helping Texas distillers recover unpaid invoices from wholesalers. The substitute would require distillers to invoice at the time of purchase, send a demand letter if payment terms are violated, and allow complaints to be filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which could determine an appropriate penalty based on the facts. Natasha Dehart of Bent Distilling Company testified in support, describing serious cash-flow problems and unpaid invoices from a Texas wholesaler that had forced layoffs, late vendor payments, and operational strain. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1378, a narrowly tailored local bill for a Carrollton facility recently acquired by Sazerac that employs more than 1,000 Texans. Senator Parker said the bill would create a limited exemption to avoid forcing the company to shut down or move because of current permit restrictions, while preserving the three-tier system and preventing the company from selling wine to itself. A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission resource witness said the bill was drafted so it would not open the door to broader industry changes. Mason Moreland testified against the bill as filed, arguing it gave special treatment to one company and failed to address broader problems in the wine industry, including direct-to-consumer sales and permit issues. After questions from senators, public testimony closed and SB 1378 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: SB2102, SB1940, SB1625, SB1442, SB1623, SB1242, SB1949, SB1592, SB1913, SB592, SB992, SB1241, SB259, SB1928, SB1426, SB1531, SB1561, SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, some wholesalers in our state are delinquent in their payments to Texas distillers. Mr.
• These late or sometimes non-payments are causing our smallest distillers, to have to lay off employees
• The distiller may then report the delinquency in writing to TABC.
• I'm the owner of Bent Distilling Company in Louisville, Texas. I'm here today to testify.
• Support of Senate Bill 1355 on behalf of the Texas Distilled Spirits Association and of myself.

Bills: SB8, SB650, SB667, SB779, SB1349, SB1355, SB1378, SB1585, SB1721, SB2312, SB 8

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Bills: SB1189, SB1295, SB1297, SB1330, SB1333, SB1338, SB1341, SB1344, SB1355, SB1377, SB1378, SB1546, SB1859, SB1946, SB1990, SB1998

Keywords: school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, water infrastructure, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, grants, environmental compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• But there'll be three licenses, as I said: small craft distiller license, small craft winery license,
• pubs etc and our small craft distillers pubs etc and our small craft distillers and<00:11:23.839
• > small<00:12:14.079> craft small craft distillers, small craft small craft distillers,
• license as I said small craft distiller license as I said small craft distiller license,<00:13:12.639
• liquor in a quantity not to distilled liquor in a quantity not to exceed<00:14:30.560> 50,000.

Bills: SB265, HB593

Keywords: data processing centers, tax abatements, economic development, construction related taxes, energy infrastructure, small craft distilleries, wineries, alcoholic beverages, licensing, craft beverage industry, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the head distiller for Red River Distillery in Birmingham.
• I'm the current head distiller. distill? I'm the current head distiller.
• So if you got it down to say 5,000, how many distillers would that allow?
• How many distillers do we have in the state? I think we're around 13. in the state?
• I do have a little bit of a problem with the fact that it will lock out so many other distillers.

Bills: SB312, SB316, SB90

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABC Board, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control, special event license, special events retail license, nonprofit special events retail license, special retail license, event storage license, government venue license, alcohol storage, alcohol transfer, beer, wine, liquor, on-premises consumption, public venue, government-owned property, municipal property, county property, state property

Transcript Highlights:

• will significantly reduce the revenue for California craft distillers.
• California craft distillers.
• With me today is Ezra Chabon and Chris Stellar with the California Distillers Association and Craft Distillers
• With me today is Ezra Chabon and Chris Stellar with the California Distillers Association, Craft Distillers
• California Distillers Association.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I say nano distill, I mean nano distill.
• When I say nano distill, I mean nano distill.
• When I say nano distill, I mean nano distill.
• When I say nano distill, I mean nano distill.
• get the distill and serve it as any on-premise license can buy the distill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we work with distillers, brewers, and wineries to do such.
• So we work with distillers, brewers, and wineries to do such.
• distilled spirits.
• Private label distilled spirits brands are beverage alcohol products made by a distiller for the exclusive
• Private label distilled spirits brands are beverage alcohol products made by a distiller for the exclusive

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on alcohol licensing, sales, and consumption issues affecting bars, restaurants, package stores, and local communities. The chair outlined hybrid hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits and instructions for written testimony. The committee heard a local bill for Milford, H. 4169, authorizing an additional off-premises all-alcohol license for Charlie’s Mini Mart, with the understanding that the existing wine and malt license would be surrendered if the new license is granted. A major topic was the long-running debate over happy hour. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association opposed bills such as S. 217, H. 349, and H. 443, arguing that discounted alcohol would intensify competition, create pressure on restaurants to participate, and potentially raise liquor liability and insurance costs. In contrast, Senator Julian Cyr testified in support of repealing the happy hour ban through a local-option framework, saying the bill includes safeguards such as no discounts after 10 p.m., fixed pricing during promotions, and advance posting requirements, and that it could help downtowns and seasonal businesses without creating a public health risk. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified on a broad package of bills, opposing measures to reinstate happy hour, allow supplier control over retail shelf space (H. 350), impose a transfer fee on licenses (H. 351), authorize alcohol coupons or discounts (H. 381 and S. 219), and permit Thanksgiving alcohol sales (H. 428). It supported bills requiring beverage alcohol training for off-premise licensees (H. 344), restricting self-checkout for alcohol (H. 366), changing Section 15 grocery-store license rules (S. 213), and several other regulatory changes. The Distilled Spirits Council supported H. 350 on private label spirits, while acknowledging concerns about disclosure and preferential treatment; package store witnesses defended private labels as lawful products they create with manufacturers, and the council argued the bill should address consumer confusion and unfair competitive advantages. The hearing concluded with Chair Chan announcing committee poll results on other bills, including a number of favorable reports and study orders, and the committee then voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In July of 2024, a federal court ruled a federal ban on home distilling unconstitutional, recognizing
• House Bill 2278 allows Texans to legally produce distilled spirits for personal or family use, House
• I'm with the Hobby Distillers Association, and I am for this bill. Perfect. All right.
• Distilling does not actually produce any new product.
• Ten other states have already legalized, specifically legalized, hobby distilling.

Bills: HB 1301, HB2278, HB2776, HB2820, HB3848, HB3920, HB4172, HB4215, HB4284, HB4285, HB4463, HB4517, HB4690, HB4765, HB4766, HB4767, HB4768, HB4769, HB4773, HB4830, HB5506

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Summary: The Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures met with a quorum present, corrected the minutes from April 8, and then took up a long list of pending bills, most of which were reported favorably or left pending after hearing testimony. Early action included HB 1764 (accounting practice for certain out-of-state CPAs), HB 1788 (continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists on recognizing and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking), HB 2204 (land surveyor regulation), HB 2885 (local option elections on alcohol sales), HB 2996 (gambling offense definitions and prosecution), HB 3250 (real estate appraisals and appraisal management companies), HB 3352 (driver education on work zones), HB 3385 (farm winery permit), HB 3756 (powers of certain nonresident sellers’ permit holders who also hold a winery permit), HB 3816 (cruelty to livestock animals), HB 3913 (real estate licensing), and HB 3928 (electronic notice of towed vehicles), all of which were advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Several of these bills were reported with committee substitutes, and some were also sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2278, which would legalize limited home distilling of spirits for personal or family use and add honey as an approved ingredient; supporters framed it as a consistency and freedom issue, and the bill was left pending. HB 3920, a TDLR workforce/CTE bill, and HB 1301, which would allow beer or malt beverages to be sold at certain wineries with on-site restaurants, were also laid out and left pending after discussion. HB 2776, aimed at tightening massage therapy licensing restrictions for people convicted of sexual and trafficking-related offenses and strengthening TDLR enforcement, and HB 3848, which would allow electronic filing of elevator and escalator inspection reports, were both heard and left pending as well. A major portion of the meeting focused on alcohol-related bills. HB 4215 would place delivery network companies under a statewide TDLR regulatory framework; Favor Delivery supported it, and it was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. HB 4172 and HB 2820 would raise bingo reserve limits and update charitable bingo rules; supporters from veterans and nonprofit groups argued the changes would help charities, but both bills were left pending after the substitutes were withdrawn. HB 4463, a broadly supported bill allowing contract brewing and alternating brewery proprietorships, was also left pending. HB 4284 would remove the “excessive discount” prohibition in alcohol sales, HB 4285 would allow airlines to store alcohol within five miles of an airport in the same county, HB 4517 would create a complaint process for Texas distillers not paid by wholesalers, and HB 4773 would let breweries and brewpubs transport their own beer between facilities; HB 4773 drew the most debate, with supporters citing efficiency and opponents warning about unintended consequences and possible effects on the three-tier system, but it too was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending a series of TDLR cleanup bills and other measures, including HB 4765 through HB 4769, HB 4830 on service contracts for lease vehicles, HB 5506 giving civil immunity to ringside physicians at combative sports events, and HB 4690 on gasoline vapor pressure compliance. The meeting ended after all business was completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In July of 2024, a federal court ruled the federal ban on home distilling unconstitutional, recognizing
• House Bill 2278 allows Texans to legally produce distilled spirits for personal or family use, mirroring
• It's about hobbyists, enthusiasts, and families who want to safely and legally distill spirits, just
• I'm with the Hobby Distillers Association. And I'm for this bill. Perfect. All right.
• Distilling does not actually produce any new product.

Transcript Highlights:

• In July of 2024, a federal court ruled the federal ban on home distilling unconstitutional, recognizing
• It's about hobbyists, enthusiasts, and families who want to safely and legally distill spirits just like
• I'm with the Hobby Distillers Association, and I am in favor of this bill. Perfect. All right.
• Distilling does not actually produce any new product.
• of House Bill 4517 on behalf of the Texas Distilled Spirits Association and myself.

Bills: HB 1301, HB2278, HB2776, HB2820, HB3848, HB3920, HB4172, HB4215, HB4284, HB4285, HB4463, HB4517, HB4690, HB4765, HB4766, HB4767, HB4768, HB4769, HB4773, HB4830, HB5506

Keywords: alcohol, beverages, winery permit, restaurant, malt beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, alcohol production, home brewing, family use, craft beverages, massage therapy, licensing, criminal offenses, sexually oriented businesses, public safety, bingo, charitable gaming, operating capital, regulation, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you today would bolster not just craft distillers and brewers, but the hundreds of jobs
• would bolster not just craft distillers would bolster not just craft distillers and<00:11:32.040
• meet the growth of craft distilling meet the growth of craft distilling industry<00:11:53.399>
• We have also recently begun resurrecting our Monarch-era distilled spirit, which is made from the root
• Association as well as the uh distilled Association as well as the uh distilled Spirits<00:30:45.720

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are a small micro distiller, and they produce what is called a proof-gallon premium distilled spirit
• they are a small micro distiller they are a small micro distiller<01:04:31.559> and<01:04:31.720
• 33.960> are distiller and a micro distiller they are distiller and a micro distiller they are
• gallon premium distilled gallon premium distilled spirits<01:04:39.839> and<01:04:40.160>
• <01:14:12.560> had gin it's literally I I a distiller had gin it's literally I I a distiller

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, we had a public hearing on the distiller bill, and I guess if there are any other questions
• Our concern was that it was really only focused on one distiller, and we would truly like to look at
• I think I've already talked with ABC and distillers, and they're on board with that.
• Distillers and they are currently working on what it needs for them to look like.
• You don't have any issues with the other distillers coming next year? I'll support them.

Bills: SB311, SB322, SB304, SB313, SB315, SB316, HB489, SB90

Keywords: electric transmission, public highways, permit processing, economic growth, infrastructure, rural development, condemnation actions, state regulations, community development district, CDD, annexation, municipal annexation, wet municipality, dry county, wet county, Sunday alcohol sales, ABC Board, alcohol licensing, on-premises consumption, golf course

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so analyze testing requirements for distillate.
• When you have distill tests over a certain threshold, you have to run confirmation tests.
• Distillate potency confirmation has been a pain point since final form testing was introduced.
• Cured biomass can only make cured resin or distillate.
• For example, people selling live resin as distillate, cured resin as live. Yada yada yada.

Keywords: 914, all