Measure heard before Senate committee for first time ever positive step forward
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today testified before the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee in favor of SB 2225, a bill to allow spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold in grocery and convenience stores where beer- and wine-based beverages with the same alcohol content are already being sold. This marks the first time a bill of this nature has been taken up and heard by a Senate committee marking important progress in efforts to increase market access for spirits RTDs.
If passed, the bill would be effective September 1, 2025, just in time for football season.
“The call from consumers is getting harder to ignore in Austin as Texans continue to seek out their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails in grocery and convenience stores right alongside beer and wine,” said Corey Staniscia, DISCUS vice president of state government relations. “With football season just around the corner, consumers and businesses alike are ready for the increased convenience of having their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails in additional locations. The government shouldn’t be in the business of picking winners and losers in the marketplace, and SB 2225 allows the free market flourish while increasing consumer convenience.”
A similar bill introduced by Representatives Cody Vasut (R-Angleton) and John Bucy III (D-Austin), HB 4077, was heard before the House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee last week.
Staniscia noted in his testimony that beer and wine are currently sold in more than 30,000 Texas stores, but only about 3,500 package stores sell spirits RTDs in Texas.
So far, Texans 4 Market Freedom campaign has generated nearly 2,000 letters from Texas consumers to lawmakers in Austin urging them to support allowing spirits RTDs in grocery and convenience stores. Consumers can still make their voice heard by taking action here.
The proposed bill, introduced by Senator Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth), would allow spirits-based RTDs with no greater than 17% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) to be sold where similar beer and wine products are already sold in Texas, including grocery and convenience stores