DISCUS Advocates for Texas Legislation to Expand Spirits RTD Sales

DISCUS voiced strong support for HB 4077, which aims to level the playing field for spirits RTDs by allowing them to be sold alongside beer and wine-based beverages with the same alcohol content.

by The Whiskey Wash Team | April 9, 2025

The Whiskey Wash Team delivers expert coverage and analysis of the global whiskey industry, from breaking news to in-depth reviews

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The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) testified today before the Texas House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee in support of a bill that would allow spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold in grocery and convenience stores.

DISCUS voiced strong support for HB 4077, which aims to level the playing field for spirits RTDs by allowing them to be sold alongside beer and wine-based beverages with the same alcohol content.

The testimony comes amid growing consumer advocacy, with a Texans 4 Market Freedom campaign generating more than 1,500 letters from Texas consumers to lawmakers in Austin urging support for the measure.

Consumer Choice and Market Access

Corey Staniscia, DISCUS vice president of state government relations, emphasized the unfair market disadvantage spirits RTDs currently face in Texas.

“Adult consumers in Texas are choosing spirits-based RTDs because of their convenience, taste, variety and quality, so it’s no surprise these products are leading the spirits category in both market growth and consumer popularity,” Staniscia stated in his testimony. “Unfortunately, Texas consumers have to make a special trip to pick up these products.”

In his testimony, Staniscia highlighted the significant disparity in retail access, noting that beer and wine are currently sold in more than 30,000 stores in Texas, while spirits RTDs are limited to approximately 3,500 package stores.

“This lack of market access based solely on the ingredient used in these products is anti-business, anti-free market and protectionism at its finest,” he added. “The government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the market.”

Proposed Legislation Details

The bill, introduced by Representative Cody Vasut (R-Angleton), would allow spirits-based RTDs with up to 17% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) to be sold wherever similar beer and wine products are already available. Senator Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth) has introduced a similar bill, SB 2225, in the Senate.

Staniscia directly addressed opposition to the legislation, arguing that competitors were primarily motivated by protecting their market advantages.

“HB 4077 is about allowing the free market to work and giving consumers equal access to similar products,” Staniscia stated. “The organizations that oppose this bill oppose it simply to keep out competition, to restrict consumer access and to give their business model a government-protected, competitive advantage.”

Seven-Day Sales Bill Also Under Consideration

During the same hearing, DISCUS also testified in favor of HB 679, which would permit seven-day spirits sales in Texas.

“Seven-day spirits sales give adult consumers increased convenience and the freedom to choose when to buy their favorite spirits products just like they already do for beer and wine,” Staniscia stated in his testimony. “The decision on what day a business should open should be up to the business owner, not by government mandate. This bill does not require anyone to open on Sunday if they choose not to, it only allows liquor stores to choose what day they close based on their individual business model and market demands.”

Texas remains one of only six states still prohibiting retail spirits sales on Sundays, alongside Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah.