S.B. No. 2225 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to establish a regulatory framework for ready-to-drink spirit beverages in Texas. The bill introduces a definition for "ready-to-drink spirit beverage," which includes beverages with a distilled spirit and a nonalcoholic component, containing no more than 10 percent alcohol by volume and packaged in containers of up to 3.75 liters. It allows holders of distiller's and rectifier's permits to manufacture and sell these beverages, classifying them as spirit beverages for state tax purposes. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is authorized to adopt rules governing the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of these beverages, while also expanding the activities of nonresident sellers to include shipping and conducting tastings in Texas.

Additionally, the bill mandates that nonresident sellers file monthly reports on liquor and ready-to-drink spirit beverages sold in the state, along with invoice copies. General distributors are permitted to handle ready-to-drink spirit beverages and must maintain daily transaction records. The legislation also allows for the sale of these beverages during the same hours as malt beverages and permits distillers to sell them for both on-premises and off-premises consumption. It clarifies that distillers and rectifiers can set territorial limits for sales and are not liable for state taxes on exported beverages. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission responsible for implementing the necessary rules.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Alcoholic Beverage Code 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102.32, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105.01 (Alcoholic Beverage Code 102, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105)
Senate Committee Report: Alcoholic Beverage Code 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102.32, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105.01 (Alcoholic Beverage Code 102, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105)
Engrossed: Alcoholic Beverage Code 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 14.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 14.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code 14.071, Alcoholic Beverage Code 24.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 25.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 26.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.011, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.03, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.08, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.09, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.13, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37.14, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.07, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code 71.01, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.46, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.66, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101.671, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105.081, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code 201.02 (Alcoholic Beverage Code 26, Alcoholic Beverage Code 25, Alcoholic Beverage Code 102, Alcoholic Beverage Code 201, Alcoholic Beverage Code 71, Alcoholic Beverage Code 107, Alcoholic Beverage Code 24, Alcoholic Beverage Code 64, Alcoholic Beverage Code 101, Alcoholic Beverage Code 37, Alcoholic Beverage Code 14, Alcoholic Beverage Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 105)