AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – A bill that would allow the permanent sale of alcohol-to-go at Texas restaurants is headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
The Texas Senate passed HB 1024 by Representative Charlie Geren and Senator Kelly Hancock on Wednesday, making to-go cocktails from restaurants a permanent perk of living in Texas.
“Texas restaurants took a serious hit during the pandemic,” said Hancock, Chairman of the Senate Business & Commerce Committee. “Something as simple as letting Texans safely pick up and transport a cocktail from their local restaurant allowed thousands of businesses to keep operating, employ staff, and serve their communities for years to come. I want to thank Chairman Geren and our colleagues for working together to help this bill move quickly.”
HB 1024 makes the Governor’s waiver permanent and contains key safety provisions, including a requirement that all alcoholic beverages are either sealed in their original manufacturer-sealed container or in a tamper-proof container labeled with the business’ name. To ensure compliance with open container laws, a restaurant-sealed mixed beverage also can’t be transported in the passenger area of a vehicle.
The Governor has said that if the bill made it to his desk he would sign it.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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