Since 2003, Texans have grappled with how best to modernize this state's laws governing wine, beer and distilled spirits, which are collectively known as beverage alcohol. Much work remains to be done.

Texas Hospitality Association (THA) believes the modernization effort should focus on streamlining current regulations and permitting statutes. Modernization should promote:

- Wider consumer choices,
- Added consumer convenience, and
- Economic development for local jurisdictions and the state of Texas through increased tax revenue and tourism.

Texas' archaic, conflicting and confusing alcohol laws are clearly in need of modernization and nowhere is the evidence clearer than in hundreds of the state's cities and counties – large and small, urban and rural.

In the last four years there has been a steady widespread march to polling places by Texas voters who have overwhelmingly approved alcohol sales in "dry" cities and counties. In more than 300 alcohol elections held throughout Texas since 2004, voters approved alcohol sales 80 percent of the time.

While consumers are voting for change at the local level, modernization also must occur at the state level. Confusing examples of Texas' patchwork collection of alcohol rules include:

Differing laws for the sale of beer and wine versus distilled spirits.
Conflicting laws governing time of day, type of retail establishment, geographic location and days of the week various beverage alcohol can be sold.

Changes to Texas' alcohol laws must be accompanied by a single watchword: Responsibility. THA's strong commitment to responsibility is the foundation of everything we do as an organization.

Modernization that focuses on streamlining alcohol laws will inject added accountability into the system. Additional accountability will make it easier to detect problems in the system, abuses of the law and will aid in the fight against underage drinking.

THA also will take the lead in new areas that have approved alcohol sales. We will make sure training and educational information aimed at preventing underage drinking is readily available to retailers, servers, teens and parents in those areas.

THA wants everyone to know the law.