HBA-NRS H.B. 892 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 892 By: Swinford Licensing & Administrative Procedures 2/15/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The growth of the Texas wine industry has had a positive impact on the Texas economy. California produces many times the amount of wine Texas produces, but consumes only a fraction more than Texas consumes. Texas is a significant consumer of wine, but demand is not being supplied by Texas wineries. H.B. 892 allows Texas wineries increased access to the Texas market and provides consumers with better access to Texas wines. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 892 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to authorize a holder of a winery permit to sell and ship up to two cases of wine in a 30-day period to an ultimate consumer at an address in this state using a carrier that holds an appropriate permit. If the winery premises are in a dry area, the bill authorizes the holder of a winery permit to sell wine in this state to ultimate consumers in unbroken packages for consumption off winery premises in an amount not to exceed 25,000 gallons annually, and to sell and ship wine to an ultimate consumer in compliance with the 30 day, two case limit. The bill removes provisions relating to when the holder of a winery permit is authorized to sell wine in this state to ultimate consumers for consumption off winery premises. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.