TDSA’S FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION

By creating one voice for distillers, TDSA’s first legislative session as an official trade association was a success. TDSA worked relentlessly with the Texas Legislature and stakeholders to pass four significant bills that put distillers on a more even playing field with similar industries. Due to our success, Governor Rick Perry declared September 2013 as the inaugural “Texas Distilled Spirits Month” as the new laws went into effect.

Through our efforts, effective September 2013:

• Distillers can sell a limited number of bottles on site to consumers, as well as conduct tastings and samplings of their products at their distilleries.
• Distillers can purchase products in bulk from Texas wineries, breweries or other distilleries for manufacturing purposes.
• Distillers can sell their products in bulk directly to food processors.
• Distillers can appoint someone to represent the distillery with tastings as well as when working with their distributor.