TWGGA Bill Tracker

Learn more about the bills TWGGA is actively tracking during the 89th Legislative Session.

  • Continued Higher Education Funding: Since 2015, TWGGA has worked to secure and maintain critical funding for higher education programs that support our workforce and research pipeline. Thanks to our sustained efforts, the following programs continue to receive essential support:
    • Texas A&M AgriLife Viticulture & Enology Program
    • Texas Tech University Viticulture Program
    • Grayson College T.V. Munson Viticulture & Enology Program
  • HB 1301 (Sale of Malt Beverages at Winery/Restaurants), HB 3993 and SB 2158 (Taxes imposed on vinous liquor 14%–16%), and SB 1356 and HB 4686 (Texas alcohol tourism development program): Although these bills did not advance, TWGGA’s support underscored our commitment to expanding market access, tax equity, and the growth of wine tourism. Our engagement lays important groundwork for reintroducing or reshaping similar proposals in future sessions.
  • HB 3993 (TWGGA Supporting, Left Pending in Committee): Aligns Texas tax law with federal standards by raising the lower tax rate threshold for vinous liquor to 16% ABV.
  • HB 5397 (Defeated): Amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to authorize holders of out-of-state winery direct shippers’ permits to conduct wine sampling or tasting events at various locations, such as civic festivals and farmers’ markets.
  • HB 3385 (Defeated): Perhaps the most-talked-about wine bill this Session, TWGGA has opposed HB 3385 due to serious concerns about its clarity, effectiveness, and long-term impact on the Texas wine and grape industry. Specifically, TWGGA opposes the bill because:

  • Fundamentally, this bill divides the industry and fails to create any real incentive for wineries to purchase more Texas-grown grapes—an essential component of strengthening our in-state agricultural economy.
  • Lack of clarity makes the bill difficult to interpret and implement, creating uncertainty for both regulators and industry stakeholders, particularly around bottling requirements.
  • It proposes to establish a duplicative Wine Marketing Office at the Texas Department of Agriculture, overlapping with the existing Uncork Texas Wines program, but without allocating sufficient funding to make it impactful or sustainable.
  • The bill was developed without meaningful input from grape growers, wineries, or existing statewide industry leaders or regional organizations, undermining collaboration and buy-in.
  • Despite broad and ambitious claims, the true intent and overall benefit of HB 3385 remain unclear, raising more questions than solutions for the future of Texas wine.

TWGGA remains committed to policies that genuinely strengthen the Texas wine and grape industry through thoughtful collaboration, responsible investment, and shared vision. We urge lawmakers to reject HB 3385 and instead work with industry stakeholders on targeted, transparent solutions.

  • SB 25 (TWGGA Neutral: Focuses on warning labels for packaged food products that contain ingredients banned in other countries. While wine is technically a food product, it’s not the central focus of SB 25’s labeling requirements. Wine labels already have specific requirements under federal law, such as the health warning statement mandated by the 1988 Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act. TWGGA’s neutrality followed an amendment that exempted alcoholic beverages from additional labeling requirements, preserving label integrity and avoiding major production changes.
  • SB 650 (TWGGA Neutral): Requires electronic ID scanning at retail alcohol establishments beginning in 2027. The bill raised concerns about its impact on small businesses, personal privacy, and government overreach. After TWGGA successfully advocated for an exemption for wineries, our members were spared from having to purchase and implement driver’s license readers at every point of sale—avoiding costly, unnecessary infrastructure.
  • SB 2225 (Monitoring, Referred to Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee): Expands access to ready-to-drink cocktails in retail stores that already sell beer and wine.
  • HB 679 (Monitoring, Left Pending in Committee): Addresses the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays via local elections.

VineRoots—Positive Growth Through Legislative Action

The VineRoots program helps prepare TWGGA members via educational ACTION PACKS to cohesively promote the Texas wine industry.

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