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TABC says legislature likely to fund much of its budget and exceptional items; peace-officer pay rider under consideration
Summary
TABC staff told commissioners the Senate and House introduced budget bills that fund the agency’s base request and at least one exceptional item, and that multiple exceptional items — including funding to hire peace officers at adjusted pay — remain under negotiation.
TABC public affairs staff told the commission the agency’s budget request and policy bills are moving through the 2025 regular session with a favorable outlook so far.
Jared Staples, director of public and government affairs, said the agency asked the legislature to maintain its base funding and requested six “exceptional items” totaling about $14.9 million. He reported that both the Senate and House introduced budgets that fully funded the agency’s base request and exceptional item No. 5, and that committee actions have funded or partially funded additional exceptional items.
Staples said the Senate finance committee and the House appropriations committee have both signaled support for the request tied to peace-officer compensation (exceptional item No. 2) and that the Senate adopted a corresponding rider clarifying use of those funds; the House committee fully funded the peace-officer request but had not yet adopted the rider. “That request is going to be funded in what’s debated on the House and Senate floor,” Staples said.
Staff told the commission the agency is tracking roughly 530 bills that could affect TABC operations and has already provided witness testimony at three committee hearings. Staples said agency staff work with legislative offices and industry stakeholders to suggest implementation language and technical amendments that would make proposed policies feasible to administer.
Commissioners asked about potential additions of responsibilities. The meeting included discussion of proposals to transfer regulation of some hemp-derived products into TABC oversight, and agency officials said some legislative proposals include initial funding (one number discussed was $5 million in early proposals) that could support start-up regulation if the transfer proceeds; agency staff said details remain under negotiation.
The commission also received an update on pending appointments: Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Commissioner Adkins and appointed Chad Craycraft; both nominations had been referred to the Texas Senate and a nominations committee hearing had occurred. Staples said confirmations were expected to proceed to the full Senate in coming weeks.
No final legislative outcomes were reported at the meeting; staff said they will continue to provide updates as budget and policy language advances through conference committee and floor action.
