Bill > HB3385

This bill creates a new farm winery permit in Texas, allowing wine producers to qualify for the permit if they produce only Texas wine (defined as at least 75% wine made from grapes or fruit grown in the state) or produce at least 50,000 gallons of Texas wine annually. Permit holders can operate up to five off-site locations where they can sell Texas wine for on-site consumption and sell wine in unbroken packages for off-site consumption, with an annual sales limit of 250,000 gallons. The bill establishes a farm winery marketing assistance fund, which will receive 50% of the permit fees (capped at $500 annually), to be used by the Department of Agriculture to promote and market farm wineries. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is required to adopt rules for implementing the permit, including verifying the wet or dry status of sales locations and establishing a process for temporary exemptions in cases of crop scarcity, equipment damage, natural disasters, or other business necessities. The bill provides for the implementation of these rules, with the first farm winery permits to be issued no earlier than September 1, 2026, giving the commission time to develop comprehensive guidelines for the new permit type.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3385