HB4285

Regular Session

Relating to the storage of alcoholic beverages by the holder of a passenger transportation permit.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-06-20

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate effect due to supermajority vote).
Compliance Deadline: Prior to Utilization. While the law is active, you strictly cannot store alcohol at a new location until the TABC has acknowledged your amended premises diagram.
Agency Rulemaking: The TABC may issue industry advisories regarding security standards for these off-site locations. Expect a 30-60 day administrative lag for the processing of new premises diagrams.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Map Geography: Immediately audit potential warehouse sites against the "5-mile + same county" statutory requirement.
2. File Amendments: Submit premises diagram updates to TABC Licensing for the selected site immediately; do not wait for the lease to be finalized to start the conversation.
3. Secure Inventory: Ensure the off-site location meets TABC security standards (controlled access, surveillance) before the first delivery.
4. Update Distributors: Formally notify your alcohol distributors of the new authorized delivery point to prevent delivery refusals.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Real Estate Leases: New industrial/warehouse leases must explicitly permit the storage of regulated alcohol and grant TABC agents right of entry.
3PL/Logistics Agreements: If outsourcing storage, Master Services Agreements (MSAs) must indemnify the permit holder for violations occurring at the vendor's facility.
Distributor Agreements: Wholesale supply contracts must be amended to authorize delivery to the new off-site "licensed premises" address rather than the airport terminal.

Hiring/Training

Logistics Personnel: Staff managing the "last mile" transport between the warehouse and the aircraft must be trained on secure transport protocols.
Inventory Managers: Staff must be trained to segregate inventory records; stock held off-site must be distinguishable from stock held at the terminal in the event of an audit.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

TABC Diagram Amendment: You must file a formal update to your TABC premises diagram disclosing the new storage address.
Transfer Manifests: Create internal transfer documentation to track the chain of custody for alcohol moving from the off-site warehouse to the secure airport zone.

Fees & Costs

No New State Fees: The legislation does not impose new levies.
Insurance Adjustments: Review Inland Marine/Cargo policies. Standard coverage often ceases at the "destination" (airport). You must close the coverage gap for alcohol in transit between the off-site warehouse and the aircraft.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The "Same County" Restriction: This is a critical compliance trap. Major airports (e.g., DFW International) straddle county lines. If your terminal operations are in Tarrant County, but your warehouse is 2 miles away in Dallas County, this is prohibited. You must verify the county jurisdiction of both the airport gate and the warehouse.
"Five Miles" Measurement: The statute does not specify "radius" vs. "drive distance." The standard regulatory interpretation is "as the crow flies" (radius), but you should maintain a conservative buffer (e.g., 4.5 miles) to avoid border disputes until TABC clarifies.
Commingled Storage: The law is silent on whether multiple airlines can share one warehouse. Until TABC rules otherwise, utilize caged, segregated storage to prevent inventory commingling.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsAlcoholic Beverage Regulation Airports Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4285

By: McQueeney

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, commercial airlines with a passenger transportation permit issued under the Alcoholic Beverage Code may store alcoholic beverages the airline has purchased only within the airports that the airline regularly services. The bill author has informed the committee that most airline companies utilize third-party logistics companies for the warehousing and stocking of food and beverages in warehouses off airport premises due to the nature of airport warehouse availability and their limited space. The bill author has further informed the committee that such third-party logistics companies or airlines cannot legally store alcohol at these off-airport warehouses, leading to additional complications in efficiently provisioning alcoholic beverages for flights in Texas. C.S.H.B. 4285 seeks to address this logistical issue by allowing airlines to store alcoholic beverages in warehouses within five miles of any airport regularly served by the permittee in the same county as the airport.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4285 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to authorize the holder of a passenger transportation permit to store alcoholic beverages at a location within five miles of any airport regularly served by the permittee in the same county as the airport, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 4285 differs from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions.

House Authors

Rep. John McQueeneyRepublican · Primary Author

Joint Authors

Sam Harless (R)

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Tan ParkerRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

H.B. No. 4285

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the storage of alcoholic beverages by the holder of a
	passenger transportation permit.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 48.03(b), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b) The holder of a passenger transportation permit issued
	under this section may:
	(1) sell or serve alcoholic beverages in or from any
	size container on a commercial passenger airplane operated in
	compliance with a valid license, permit, or certificate issued
	under the authority of the United States or of this state, even
	though the plane, in the course of its flight, may cross an area in
	which the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited; and
	(2) store alcoholic beverages in sealed containers of
	any size at any airport regularly served by the permittee or a
	location within five miles of any airport regularly served by the
	permittee in the same county as the airport, in accordance with
	rules and regulations promulgated by the commission.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 14, 2025

TO:	Honorable Dade Phelan, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB4285 by McQueeney (Relating to the storage of alcoholic beverages by an airline passenger transportation permittee.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

458 Alcoholic Beverage Commission

LBB Staff:

JMc, TUf, CSh, AF

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB4285

What does Texas HB4285 do?

Effective June 20, 2025, holders of Passenger Transportation Permits (commercial airlines) are authorized to store alcoholic beverages at off-airport facilities, provided the location is within five miles of the airport and in the same county. This legislation creates immediate logistical flexibility but requires airlines to amend TABC premises registrations and update insurance coverage before moving inventory off-site. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: June 20, 2025 (Immediate effect due to supermajority vote).

Who authored HB4285?

HB4285 was authored by Texas Representative John McQueeney during the Regular Session.

When was HB4285 signed into law?

HB4285 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce HB4285?

HB4285 is enforced by Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).

How urgent is compliance with HB4285?

The compliance urgency for HB4285 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of HB4285?

The cost impact of HB4285 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does HB4285 address?

HB4285 addresses topics including alcoholic beverage regulation, airports and alcoholic beverage commission, texas.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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