Texas Beer-Related Legislation Watch

We have, after all, the best government that money can buy!

Anyway, slightly related, OTT released this statement yesterday, our response to a public radio spot that contacted but did not include us: http://openthetaps.org/ott-response-to-beer-lobby-on-public-radio/

 

Exactly what demands did that skank cave to?

 

How do we get Open the Taps to be a respected forum and lobby body for craft beer? I'm not dogging OTT by any means. Shoot, raising political $ to support craft beer has to be damn hard to near impossible in TX, but OTT needs to be the go to resource for media, politicians and consumers when it comes to craft beer related legislation. As always, nobody agrees on politics but we are all passionate about our brews.

But really, how can TX get a respectable lobby for craft beer that isn't overshadowed by the almighty $ of distributors...that may answer itself, I know...just like anything else in society that needs improvement that runs up against a vicious cycle supported and inspired by $

 

But we also know that she put in the bill just for show as a threatening thing to craft beer. Basically saying that distributors still have pull and can get bills on the floor if they want.

 

First, join. Seriously, if you or your friends aren't members of OTT, or haven't renewed since last session, now's the time. We need all the money & members we can get.

Second, help out. Attend events, tweet, call your congressmen, etc.

Admittedly this session has not gone great so far, especially considering how well we did last session. We need to not let this dismay us, and instead, redouble our efforts now and before next session. This means growing our membership, growing our money, and growing our reach. The biggest part of this growth comes down to people. People like you and others in these forums. We will need more help getting more members, getting a broader reach, getting a bigger voice in Austin. That voice comes with the help of volunteers, word of mouth, etc.

Here's an advance quote from an update we'll be sending out soon: "We need more of you. We need more chapters in more locations around the state. Tell your friends, share these updates, and if you think you can do more, contact us to talk about opportunities to help!"

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Make no mistake, we have developed some solid relationships in Austin. As our mid-session update will discuss (from which that quote is pulled), these relationships have gotten consumers at the table. But sometimes, the seat is far away from the head of that table, and in order for OTT, and by extension our members (CONSUMERS - YOU AND ME), to be successful, we need more investment, both in time and money, from those we represent.

 

What is different about this than what we currently have?

Or is it to sell their "distribution rights" to a specific distributor to make money?

 

Here is the text.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/pdf/HB00482I.pdf#navpanes=0

This is a clean-up bill to codify existing TABC practice of which specific wholesaler/distributor license types a brewpub can sell to.

Bills like these are commonplace every session as code needs minor adjustments. It is not at all unusual the session after major changes are made to come back and make small changes that perhaps were overlooked previously, but do not change the bigger spirit of the code.

 

Hi there, with no disrespect intended to Open the Taps, Texas has a "respectable lobby for craft beer" - the Texas Craft Brewers Guild. That isn't to diminish the value of OTT's cause, but I don't think it's fair to say that Texas Craft Brewers don't have a voice in the Capitol.

Cheers!

-scott

 

Nice, I didn't know that. Thanks Scott and congrats on entering the Houston market. I look forward to cracking open some Freetail brews soon

 

Any updates on these bills? I'm guessing most are just about dead with nothing happening on them this late in the session.

 

So y'all may have heard that the homebrew bill made it out of committee and is awaiting a full hearing on the House floor. However, we are currently seeing obstruction from the distributors. Here's what Open The Taps has to say:

ACTION ALERT: HB 2546 by Rep. Springer needs our help

We have learned that the Beer Alliance lobbyists are actively working members of the Calendars Committee to keep HB 2546 from being considered by the full House of Representatives. They have no real policy argument, only saying they “gave enough” last session and do not want anything related to the craft beer industry to pass.

Again, this bill will simply allow homebrew competitions to be held wherever appropriate, regardless if the location is a TABC licensed facility or not. Right now, they cannot be held at facilities that carry a TABC license of any kind. Please contact all of these offices and let them know you support HB 2546. We need your help to loosen the restrictive grip of the Beer Alliance.

Chair: Rep. Todd Hunter 512-463-0672
Rep. Eddie Lucio III 512-463-0606
Rep. Roberto R. Alonzo 512-463-0408
Rep. Byron Cook 512-463-0730
Rep. Sarah Davis 512-463-0389
Rep. Charlie Geren 512-463-0610
Rep. Helen Giddings 512-463-0953
Rep. Patricia Harless 512-463-0496
Rep. Dan Huberty 512-463-0520
Rep. Eric Johnson 512-463-0586
Rep. Ken King 512-463-0736
Rep. Lyle Larson 512-463-0646
Rep. Four Price 512-463-0470
Rep. Debbie Riddle 512-463-0572
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez 512-463-0674

 

Seems like a logical stance for distributors to take.

 

The current session of the Texas House is ending. Did any of the bills of interest for craft brew get voted on?

 

So how is that different than what we have today? JK is a brewpub and already sells to those entities.

 

Heh, yeah, forgot about that one.