AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Alcohol to-go officially became law in Texas on Wednesday.
Governor Abbott signed HB 1094 by Representative Geren and Senator Hancock, making permanent restaurants’ ability to safely sell alcohol with pickup and delivery food orders.
Alcohol to-go is now LAW in Texas!
Thank you to my partners in the legislature for getting this to my desk.#txlege pic.twitter.com/iPDrbjGwF1
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 12, 2021
The Texas Restaurant Association worked closely with the Governor, state lawmakers, and stakeholders throughout the alcoholic beverage industry to craft the legislation, which it believes will be instrumental in the restaurant industry’s recovery from the pandemic.
“The Texas Restaurant Association and our members applaud Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature for fast-tracking HB 1024 to ensure restaurants maintain their ability to sell alcohol to-go,” said Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of TRA. “Governor Abbott’s emergency waiver allowing alcohol to-go during the pandemic saved thousands of restaurant jobs, creating a new revenue stream and unleashing the innovation that restaurants will need to rebuild from the pandemic. We still have a long road to recovery ahead, but with tools like alcohol to-go, the restaurant industry’s future is brighter than ever in Texas.”
Alcohol to-go was initiated as a temporary waiver by Governor Abbott to serve as a lifeline for restaurants struggling with the economic impacts of the COVID pandemic. The measure proved extremely popular amongst Texas restaurants and consumers. A May 2020 survey by the National Restaurant Association found that 81% of Texans are in favor of making alcohol to-go permanent, with 42% saying they strongly favor it. The survey also found that the vast majority of restaurants that sell alcohol were taking advantage of the ability to sell alcohol to-go, allowing them to rehire employees.
“Alcohol to-go is exactly what restaurants need and Texans want,” said Ellis Winstanley, President of Cozumel Empresas, the holding company for El Arroyo in Austin, Texas. “Restaurants are about experiences, and alcohol to-go lets restaurants give their customers a more complete experience from the comfort of their home. We are very thankful that our governor and the legislature have taken the opportunity to support the restaurant community and our customers.”
HB 1024 passed overwhelmingly in the Texas Legislature and became effective when the Governor signed it into law.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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