In a move that further secures a revenue stream for restaurants that closed dining areas last year, the Texas House provided initial approval to House Bill 1024 that would allow restaurants to sell mobile alcohol beyond the pandemic. This would permanently allow beer, wine and mixed drinks to be included in pickup and delivery food orders, known as alcohol-to-go.

Gov. Greg Abbott originally signed an emergency waiver last March, allowing restaurants to safely sell alcohol with pickup and delivery food orders. The waiver was originally to last until last May, but it was extended indefinitely with bipartisan support.

HB 1024 was filed by state Rep. Charlie Geren, a restaurant owner in Fort Worth. The Texas Restaurant Association worked closely with both legislators and many stakeholders in the alcoholic beverage industry to craft this legislation, which will be instrumental in the restaurant industry’s recovery from the devastation caused by COVID-19.

The bill codifies key safety provisions in the governor’s waiver, including the requirement that all alcoholic beverages be sealed either in the original manufacturer-sealed container or in a tamper-proof container that is labeled with the business’ name and “alcoholic beverage”.