[1. Opening Items]
[00:00:02]
WELCOME ON THIS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY.IT IS HOLY WEEK, SO IT'S A SPECIAL TIME FOR A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS.
WELL, FIRST AGENDA ITEM OF COURSE, IS THE CALL TO ORDER.
I'M UP HERE FEELING LONELY WITH ALL MY FRIENDS.
IT'S CURRENTLY 10:33 AND WE HAVE A QUORUM.
WE HAVE A PRETTY BIG AGENDA TODAY.
WE HAVE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO DISCUSS.
WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE A GENTLEMAN WHO HAS BEEN WITH OUR PORTS OF ENTRY DIVISION FOR 25 YEARS, WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARY.
I WAS IN WESLACO, TEXAS YESTERDAY MORNING AND THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SO IT'S MARCH AND IT WAS STILL IN THE '90S THERE.
THE AMOUNT OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS, THE CONDITIONS, AND ALL THE WORK YOU GUYS DO, AND IT'S 110, WELL IT'S EXTRAORDINARY BECAUSE YOU'RE OUTSIDE AND YOU'RE REALLY DOING GREAT WORK FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I BELIEVE A CRITICAL COMPONENT IN OUR DETERRENCE BY AVOIDANCE OR DETERRENCE BY PRESENCE THAT WE HAVE BY HAVING YOU ALL THERE.
IT'S A CRITICAL ROLE AND WE'RE GRATEFUL, AND WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN A MINUTE.
AS YOU GUYS KNOW, IT WAS LAST YEAR WE PARTICIPATED AS AN AGENCY AND I WAS ASKED TO BE ON A PANEL WITH GOVERNOR ABBOTT TO DISCUSS THE ONE PILL KILLED CAMPAIGN, WHICH SEVERAL OF YOU WORKED ON, ON THAT PRESENTATION.
WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE SOME AGENTS WHO SAVED THE LIFE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB, AND THEY'RE ALERT [NOISE].
>> JOE, YOU'RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE, RIGHT? IT'S NOT APRIL 1ST YET.
ANYWAY. WE HAVE SEEN EXAMPLES OF TABC AGENTS THAT HAVE DONE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS CERTAINLY IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, BUT IF NOT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, AND THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS ARE EXEMPLARY OF THAT TREMENDOUS PROFESSIONALISM AND A TRIBUTE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY OF WHICH WE ARE A PART.
WE HAVE FOUR EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR, WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARY.
THEN I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.
I KNOW WE'VE DISCUSSED A LOT ABOUT THE BYOB BUSINESS, THE BOYB INDUSTRY, AND WHILE MANY OF THEM, MOST OF THEM ARE THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT DOWN THE ROAD WHERE YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF WINE, AND THEY ARE TERRIFIC CONTRIBUTORS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, JUST LIKE IN EVERYTHING, THE DARK SIDE OF THE SMALL PERCENTAGE OF OUR INDUSTRY USE BYOB'S FOR NEFARIOUS PURPOSES.
THEY BASICALLY OPERATE AS UNLICENSED BARS.
THERE HAVENS FOR NARCOTICS, THERE HAVENS FOR PROSTITUTION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ETC.
WE HAD A BREAKTHROUGH WITH THE CITY OF EL PASO, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE AS AN AGENCY TO WORK WITH THESE COMMUNITIES TO HELP THEM TO FIND SOME SOLUTION.
BECAUSE THEY OPERATE AS ROGUE BUSINESSES, AND THEY PLACE OUR AGENTS IN HARM'S WAY, THEY PLACE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN HARM'S WAY, AND THEY ARE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
AGAIN, I THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I THINK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, GENTLEMEN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TODAY?
>> ALL RIGHT. IF YOU WOULD JOIN ME IN SALUTING, BY THE WAY, I WOULD ALSO BE REMISS TO EXTEND THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF US AS AN AGENCY, AS A STATE, TO THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE TRAGEDY THAT THEY ARE ENDURING RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.
IT'S A REMINDER THAT IN A FLASH, IN AN INSTANT DISASTER CAN STRIKE, AND WE ARE CERTAINLY HOPEFUL THAT THERE WAS NOTHING AND TOWARDS OTHER THAN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT WHICH SADLY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE COST A LOT OF PEOPLE THEIR LIVES.
LET'S KEEP OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND AND OUR THOUGHTS AT THIS TIME.
[00:05:04]
WITH THAT, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ALL.>> PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES? THE NEXT ITEM IS APPROVAL OF COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JANUARY 23, 24.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BOATRIGHT.
JOE IS IT BEST, YOU JUST TURN ME OFF HERE.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I'M JUST GOING TO MOVE THIS OVER HERE TO THE SIDE FOR A WHILE.
WE HAVE A SECOND. WE WILL NOW VOTE.
>> MOTION CARRIES. MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
>> THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD.
[2. Recognitions]
TWENTY FIVE YEARS IS A LONG TIME, A QUARTER OF A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.DIRECTOR FLETCHER, IF YOU PLEASE, MA'AM.
>> GOOD MORNING, SIR. FOR THE RECORD, AMANDA FLETCHER, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
JUST A REMINDER, OUR SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM, WE RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES FOR EVERY FIVE YEARS OF CUMULATIVE SERVICE WITH THE AGENCY.
WE PREPARE A CERTIFICATE SIGNED BY YOU AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
WE GIVE THEM A GRATED PLAQUE IF THEY REACH 25 YEARS OR ABOVE AND A SERVICE TO YOUR COIN.
TODAY WE HAVE THE HONOR OF RECOGNIZING MR. CARLOS GARZA [INAUDIBLE]
>> CARLOS GARZA JOINED TABC PORTS OF ENTRY IN 1999 AND WAS ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIS FATHER WHO WAS A CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGRICULTURAL OFFICER BEFORE HIS FATHER'S RETIREMENT.
CARLOS NOW WORKS CLOSELY WITH HIS BROTHER, WHO IS A HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATOR AT THE HIDALGO PORT OF ENTRY.
BEFORE CARLOS JOINED PORTS OF ENTRY, HE WAS A MANAGER AT SIRLOIN STOCKADE AND CALYPSO BOAT SEAFOOD RESTAURANT FOR 10 YEARS.
CARLOS HAS A PASSION FOR COOKING AND ENJOYS COOKING FOR HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
HE ALSO ENJOYS WORKING ON CARS, MOTORCYCLES, AND GOING TO CONCERTS.
CARLOS IS VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR TABC PORTS OF ENTRY, AS WELL AS WORK ALONGSIDE MANY GREAT PEOPLE DURING HIS 25 YEARS OF SERVICE.
CARLOS PLANS ON CONTINUING BEING PART OF THE TABC FAMILY FOR A FEW MORE YEARS UNTIL RETIREMENT. CONGRATULATIONS CARLOS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> WE SENT THIS AWARD TO YOU FROM THE TEXAS HOLLOWAY VARIOUS COMMISSION PRESENTED TO CARLOS CARDS IN APPRECIATION FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT. I'LL CONTINUE ON TO THE NEXT PRESENTATION, WHICH ARE AS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS.
OVER THIS PAST YEAR, TABC HAS FOCUSED ON EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION.
THE HR TEAM HAS ESTABLISHED THIS NEW PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.
THE PROGRAM INCLUDED TWO CATEGORIES OF AWARDS.
THE EXCELLENCE AWARD WAS ELIGIBLE TO ANY EMPLOYEE FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.
OUR LEADERSHIP AWARD WAS TO RECOGNIZE A SUPERVISOR, SPECIFICALLY WHO EXEMPLIFIES OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.
THIS ROUND OF NOMINATIONS IS OUR FIRST AWARD CEREMONY.
WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 24 AWARDS WITHIN BOTH CATEGORIES COMBINED.
WE HAD A NOMINATION COMMITTEE MADE UP OF DIRECTORS AND CHIEFS WHO NARROWED DOWN THE SELECTIONS AND MADE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO MADE THE FINAL DECISIONS.
OF THE 24 NOMINATIONS, FOUR HAVE BEEN SELECTED AND WE'LL BE HONORING TODAY.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE EXCELLENCE OF CATEGORY, BEGINNING WITH BRITTANY BANKHEAD.
IF I CAN ASK BRITTANY AND HER SUPERVISOR SARAH TO JOIN ME.
BRITTANY BANKHEAD BEGAN HER JOURNEY WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION IN 2013 AS AN INTERN WITH THE LICENSING DEPARTMENTS.
[00:10:04]
BRITTANY STAYED WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICIALLY JOINED THE AGENCY AS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT IN 2014.SHE THEN SERVED AS A LICENSING AND PERMIT SPECIALIST IN 2018 BEFORE HER PROMOTION TO MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS IN 2019.
BRITTANY HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY.
SHE ENJOYS GARDENING, READING, AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER HUSBAND AND THREE RESCUE DOGS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> SURE, YEAH. ANYBODY WHO HAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING BRITTANY KNOWS EXACTLY WHY SHE'S UP HERE.
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HER, SHE HAS UNPARALLELED INTELLIGENCE, SHE HAS AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF INITIATIVE AND PATIENCE, ESPECIALLY WITH ME AS HER BOSS.
FRANKLY, OUR TECHNOLOGY TRANSITION WOULD NOT BE NEARLY AS SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT HER.
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, SHE'S EMPLOYEE OF THE CENTURY.
>> I APPRECIATE IT, AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME.
>> I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR US.
>> WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU, CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR GUESTS TO JOIN ME AT THE PHOTO?
>> YES. AND THE WHOLE REASON I AM LITERALLY AT THIS AGENCY WAS MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER.
ANY OF YOU HAVE WORKED WITH HER SHOULDN'T HAVE FOUND AS GREAT AS I AM.
>> I HAD EVERYTHING SHE KNOWS.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S AGENT GARCIA, COULD YOU JOIN ANY, PLEASE? [BACKGROUND] AGENT ALFONSO GARCIA BEGAN HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER AS A PATROL OFFICER WITH THE EDINBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2011.
IN 2015, AGENT GARCIA LEFT EDINBURGH TO BECOME AN AGENT OF THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION, ASSIGNED TO THE WEST LOCO ENFORCEMENT OFFICE IN REGION 5.
AGENT GARCIA HAS BEEN AN ASSET FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
AGENT GARCIA HAS A MASTER PEACE OFFICER LICENSE, IS AN ADVANCED FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, A CERTIFIED TCOLE INSTRUCTOR, AN ARREST AND CONTROL TACTICS INSTRUCTOR, AND A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR.
HE'S ALSO A US NAVY VETERAN, SERVING HONORABLE AS A HOSPITAL CORPSMAN WITH THE 1ST BATTALION 5TH MARINES.
AGENT GARCIA SAYS THAT ABOVE ALL HE'S A CHRISTIAN MAN.
HE LOVES TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, SERVICE COMMUNITY AND HELP OTHERS IN NEED. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> I ALWAYS ENJOY GOING OUT IN WEST LOCO, VISIT MY TROOPS DOWN THERE.
I BRAG ON THEM ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE SUCH A PROFESSIONAL, TIGHT KNIT GROUP THAT DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB OF THE AGENCY.
BUT ALFONSO FONZIE GARCIA'S AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN, STANDS OUT AMONG HIS PEERS AS A TOP PERFORMER.
BUT THIS AWARD IS NOT JUST ABOUT PERFORMANCE FOR THE AGENCY, IT'S ABOUT THE WELL ROUNDED PERSON.
HE ORGANIZED A TOY DRIVE FOR THE CAPABLE KIDS FOUNDATION AT CHRISTMAS TIME, WHICH FACILITATES CHILDREN ENGAGING IN DISABLED AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN BEING INCLUDED IN SOCIAL EVENTS, DANCES, SPORTING EVENTS.
HE ALSO ORGANIZED CHRISTMAS CARE AT SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS DURING CHRISTMAS TO BRING JOY TO THOSE PEOPLE.
TAKING ALONG HIS PEERS, HIS SERGEANT, HIS LIEUTENANT.
IT GIVES ME GREAT HONOR TO PRESENT THIS AWARD TO FONZIE.
HE IS NOT ONLY A WONDERFUL REPRESENTATIVE OF REGION 5 AND ENFORCEMENT, BUT OF THE COMMISSION IN GENERAL. WELL DONE SIR.
>> YOU CAN BRING YOUR FAMILY TOO IF YOU LIKE.
>> YEAH. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
>> NEXT WE HAVE JOHN SEDBERRY BACK IN THE CORNER.
>> HAD TO TAKE YOU OUT OF HIDING.
[00:15:01]
>> ALL RIGHT. JOHN SEDBERRY BEGAN HIS JOURNEY WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION IN 2010 AS AN ATTORNEY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.
JOHN NOW WORKS FOR THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL AS THE ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL.
IN THIS ROLE, HE MANAGES TABC'S LITIGATION TEAM.
>> JOHN, YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT THIS LAST YEAR DEALING WITH A NEW GENERAL COUNSEL THAT'S NEW TO THE INDUSTRY.
BREAKING ME IN, YOU'VE BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP TO ME, SOMEBODY I CAN GO TO FOR ADVICE AND HISTORICAL INFORMATION SO I'M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
THE VISIONS WELL THROUGH A LOT THIS PAST YEAR TO HIRE SIX NEW ATTORNEYS, YOU'VE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING THREE OF THOSE YOURSELF.
I THINK IT SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT THOSE THREE ATTORNEYS ARE THE ONES WHOM YOU THIS AWARD, IT WOULD BE LEADERSHIP AWARD SO IT GOES A LONG WAY.
I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION YOUR WORK ON THE GAMES PROJECT ALL THE TIME OF MEDICATION.
TREMENDOUS HELP TO THIS WHOLE AGENCY.
I'M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL, AND THE AGENCY'S GRATEFUL. THANK YOU.
>> KYLE RUSSELL AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR JOSE CANADA.
KYLE RUSSELL ATTENDED WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY STUDYING ACCOUNTING.
PRIOR TO TABC, HE SPENT 12 YEARS IN RETAIL STORE MANAGEMENT AND LOSS PREVENTION.
KYLE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION IN DECEMBER 2011 AS AN AUDITOR AT THE LUBBOCK REGIONAL OFFICE.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE REGIONAL LICENSING MANAGER OF REGION 1 IN FEBRUARY OF 2013.
KYLE ENJOYS HOME IMPROVEMENT AND DIY PROJECTS.
CONGRATULATIONS, KYLE. TAKE A PICTURE
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.
KYLE DOES AN AMAZING JOB FOR US, DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
HE CARES DEEPLY ABOUT HIS TEAM.
HE MAKES SURE THAT HIS TEAM WAS WELL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE EVERYTHING THE DAY IN AND DAY OUTS OF THE JOB.
KYLE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL INITIATIVES.
PROJECTS THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE HERE WITH US, INCLUDING THE AMES INITIATIVE, HAS DONE TREMENDOUS WORK THERE FOR US AS WELL AS OUR PHONE INITIATIVE RECENTLY THAT WE DID, WHICH ALSO HELPED US TO APPROVE APPLICATIONS A LOT QUICKER FOR THE AGENCY TO GET PEOPLE IN TEXAS INTO BUSINESS A LOT QUICKER.
HE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB WITH ALL THE INITIATIVES AND THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE INVOLVED WITH.
HE IS KNOWN AS LICENSING UNOFFICIAL STATISTICIAN.
WHENEVER WE NEED A NUMBER OR A STATISTIC, HE'S THE FIRST PERSON WE USUALLY CALL AND HE'S READY TO JUMP INTO ACTION. WE APPRECIATE YOU.
HE COMES FROM A LONG LINE OF TABC FAMILY AS WELL.
HE'S LEAVING A LEGACY HERE WITH THE LEADERSHIP.
HE HAS HIS FATHER THAT WORKED HERE, MR. ROBERT RUSSELL JUNIOR, AND HIS LATE GRANDFATHER, MR. ROBERT RUSSELL SENIOR.
>> THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE AN ENFORCEMENT LIFE SAVING AWARD.
DEPUTY CHIEF DOGGETT, IF YOU PLEASE, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DAVID DOGGETT.
I'M THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF FIELD OPERATIONS.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF PRESENTING THE LIFE SAVING AWARD.
ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, APPROXIMATELY 11:21 P.M, AGENTS MCDONALD AND SHEPARD CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION AT A LICENSED LOCATION IN DALLAS, TEXAS.
THE AGENTS OBSERVED A FEMALE PATRON THAT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND NON RESPONSIVE.
[00:20:04]
AGENT MCDONALD AND SHEPARD IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO RESPOND TO THE LOCATION.AGENTS THEN ASSESSED THE FEMALE, AND OBSERVED SYMPTOMS CONSISTING WITH AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.
AGENT MCDONALD IMMEDIATELY RETRIEVED HIS ISSUED NARCAN AND ADMINISTERED TO THE FEMALE WHILE AGENT SHEPARD ASSISTED.
WITHIN SECONDS OF ADMINISTERING THE NARCAN, THE FEMALE BECAME RESPONSIVE AND WAS BREATHING UNASSISTED.
EMS CREWS ARRIVED AND TOOK OVER MEDICAL CARE.
BECAUSE OF THEIR SWIFT ACTION, THE FEMALE SURVIVED THE INCIDENT AND IS ALIVE TODAY.
DUE TO THE RECENT TRAINING ON FENTANYL AND OPIOID OVERDOSE AND THE ISSUANCE OF NARCAN, AGENTS, MCDONALD AND SHEPARD HAD THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND KNOWLEDGE TO TAKE ACTION THAT NIGHT.
>> GENTLEMEN THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> I WAS ADMIRING HOW GREAT EVERYBODY LOOKED.
>> [APPLAUSE] CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE SOME GOOD PEOPLE WORKING HERE.
>> WE DO, INDEED. THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN THAT WORK FOR THIS FANTASTIC AGENCY.
IN ALL AREAS, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT EVERYONE THAT WAS RECOGNIZED TODAY DO TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT STATE.
THE REASON WHY THESE RECOGNITIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT IS THAT OBVIOUSLY WE'D LOVE TO GIVE 600 PLUS LONGEVITY WORKING FOR 25 YEARS.
THAT YOUNG LADY, I HOPE WILL GO ON TO HAVE AN AMAZING LIFE.
HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.
JUST ALL OF THE EFFORTS THAT EVERYONE THAT WAS RECOGNIZED TODAY, IT'S THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG BECAUSE EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTED WHAT HAPPENED TODAY AND EVERYONE THAT HAS SUPPORTED ALL THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT YOU'VE ACHIEVED, WERE ALL MADE POSSIBLE BY EVERYONE WHO COMES TO WORK EVERY DAY AT THIS AGENCY.
THEN ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT THE FAMILY MEMBERS CAME, BECAUSE IN A DEMANDING JOB SUCH AS WE HAVE IN EVERY FACET OF THIS AGENCY, IT'S OFTEN THE FAMILY THAT SOMETIMES GETS THE SHORT END OF THE STICK.
IT'S THE FAMILIES THAT SUFFER AND DEAL WITH LONG HOURS AND STRESS AND ANXIETY, AND SO IT'S GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE
[00:25:01]
THE FAMILIES HERE AND I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.IT'S LIKE THE GREATEST THING THAT'S HAPPENED TO ME THIS MONTH. I THINK IT'S AWESOME.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF IT.
COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ADD AT THIS TIME?
>> BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE RECOGNITIONS TODAY.
I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN PERSON.
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT AND JUST TO ECHO EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID COMMISSIONER, MAKES ME EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
>> WELL, THANK YOU ALL. THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW TABC INSPECTOR GENERAL, DIRECTOR FLETCHER.
>> DO YOU WANT TO STAND OR HAVE TO COME TO THE FRONT?
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO SIT NEXT TO YOU?
>> WHATEVER YOU PREFER. [LAUGHTER] KATHLEEN ALLBRIGHT EMBARKED ON HER CAREER JOURNEY IN 2011 WHEN SHE JOINED THE TABC, STARTING AS AN AUDITOR WITH THE COMPLIANCE DIVISION.
TWO YEARS LATER IN 2013, SHE TRANSITIONED INTO A ROLE AS A COMMISSION PEACE OFFICER, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF HER TENURE IN THE FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT.
FOR NEARLY HALF A DECADE, KATHLEEN SERVED AS A DEPUTIZED TASK FORCE OFFICER FOR THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION.
IN 2019, KATHLEEN TRANSITIONED TO A NEW CHAPTER IN HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE BY JOINING THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AS AN INVESTIGATOR, WHERE HER FOCUS WAS ON OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW, ENSURING THAT OPERATIONS RAN SMOOTHLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND AGENCY REGULATIONS.
IN NOVEMBER 2024, SHE WAS NAMED TABC INSPECTOR GENERAL, WHERE SHE USES HER EXPERTISE AND YEARS OF INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIENCE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SERVICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG AGENCY EMPLOYEES.
KATHLEEN HOLDS A BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, AND FURTHERED HER EDUCATION WITH A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE.
IN ADDITION TO HER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, SHE'S A TCOLE MASTER PEACE OFFICER, A CERTIFIED ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING SPECIALIST, AND A CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINER.
KATHLEEN'S JOURNEY CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, DRIVEN BY HER PASSION FOR JUSTICE AND HER PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROMOTION, KATHLEEN.
>> OUTSTANDING. AND A GOOD BOBCAT.
>> YES, SIR. I JUST WAS THERE THIS WEEKEND, SO EVEN BETTER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONTINUING YOUR ROLE.
THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THE FUTURE.
WE'RE JUST DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU IN THIS POSITION.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GRAHAM AND THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE VERY GLAD THAT YOU'VE ACCEPTED AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BABY.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL OFFICIALLY BE BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU, KATHLEEN.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. [APPLAUSE]
>> ONE THING ALSO THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE, HER BACKGROUND IN FINANCIAL CRIMES IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO THIS AGENCY.
FINANCIAL CRIMES, ESPECIALLY MONEY LAUNDERING, I THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST DIABOLICAL CRIMES THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT, THAT HIDES IN PLAIN SIGHT.
IF WE THINK OF THE LITERALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT THE CARTEL HAS TO WASH, SOMETIMES USING LICENSED ESTABLISHMENTS FOR THAT IS EXTRAORDINARY.
BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT THE BILL FOR A FLASHY CRIME, IF THERE'S SUCH A THING, IT GOES ON OFTEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
I THINK THAT OUR DEDICATION TO FINANCIAL CRIMES AND TO THE ERADICATION OF FINANCIAL CRIMES IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.
I HOPE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GRAHAM, THAT WE WILL CONTINUE AS AN AGENCY TO EXPAND THAT ROLE.
BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING AWAY, FOLKS.
IF WE CAN GET IN THE WAY, PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING, WE'RE DOING OUR JOB.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE IN THAT REGARD.
>> THIS NOW, IT'S JUST GETTING BETTER.
[LAUGHTER] WE'RE BACK TO GIVING CAKE AGAIN.
WE WENT THROUGH A HORRIFIC PERIOD OF NO CAKE IN THOSE AGENCIES.
[LAUGHTER] WHEN I WALKED IN AND I SAW THAT CAKE, MAN, THIS IS FANTASTIC.
IT'S ALL PROTEIN, THERE'S NO CARBS.
BY THE WAY, IF YOU'RE GIVING UP SWEETS FOR LENT, DOESN'T APPLY TODAY.
ANYWAY, WE WILL NOW BE IN RECESS FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES TO HAVE A RECEPTION UP FRONT. PLEASE JOIN US.
[00:30:02]
THANK YOU. 11:03. WE'RE ON RECESS.>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE WILL NOW RECONVENE AND THE TIME IS 11:24.
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE THE 2024 ANNUAL PRODUCTION LIMIT ORDER.
[3. Orders]
OUR ATTORNEY, MATT DIAMOND.>> GOOD MORNING MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
THE AGENDA ITEM TODAY THAT I'M PRESENTING IS THE ORDER CERTIFYING THE ANNUAL PRODUCTION LIMIT UNDER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE, SECTION 62.122.
AS YOU ARE AWARE, PURSUANT TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE, SECTION 62.122, SUBSECTION F. THE COMMISSION, BY RULE OF ORDER, SHALL ANNUALLY ADJUST THE PRODUCTION LIMIT PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 621.22, SUBSECTION C2.
AN AMOUNT THAT IS EQUAL TO THE PERCENTAGE OF THE STATE'S POPULATION GROWTH FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE DEMOGRAPHER.
LAST YEAR, TABC ISSUED AN ORDER CERTIFYING A PRODUCTION LIMIT OF 186,895 BARRELS.
ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEMOGRAPHER, THE POPULATION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS GREW BY 1.6% FROM JANUARY 1ST TO DECEMBER 31, 2023.
APPLYING THIS 1.6 INCREASE IN POPULATION GROWTH TO THE PRODUCTION LIMIT SET BY LAST YEAR'S RESULTS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE OF 2,990 BARRELS FOR A TOTAL PRODUCTION LIMIT OF 189,885 BARRELS.
I HOPE MY MATH IS CORRECT AND THAT IS THE AMOUNT THAT IS SUBMITTED FOR THE ORDER FOR A VOTE TODAY. THAT'S IT ALL I HAVE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? I MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2024 ANNUAL PRODUCTION LIMIT ORDER AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ADKINS.
WE HAVE A SECOND. WE'LL NOW VOTE.
>> VOTES HAVE BEEN RECORDED, THE MOTION IS APPROVED.
NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE PREPARING FOR
[4. Reports]
THE 26 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND OUR LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST, LAR. CFO SWAN, WELCOME.>> THANK YOU SIR. FOR THE RECORD, CONRAD SWAN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN LILY, COMMISSIONERS.
I THOUGHT WE'D DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE USUAL.
I KNOW NORMALLY WHEN I'M SITTING HERE I'M SHOWING YOU NUMBERS AND CHARTS AND GRAPHS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET YOU UP TO SPEED ABOUT THE PREPARATIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT INTO DEVELOPING OUR LAR.
IT'S ABOUT A SIX MONTH PROCESS, SO STARTING RIGHT ABOUT NOW, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME PRELIMINARY EFFORT TO KICK START THE LAR.
BEFORE I GET INTO SHOWING YOU SOME OF THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAVE FOR THAT, I JUST WANT TO GIVE A REFRESHER ON SOME OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS THAT WE DROP INTO OUR LAR, BASE BUDGETING, EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS AND FORECASTING.
WE'LL TOUCH ON THOSE BRIEFLY, STARTING WITH BASE BUDGETING.
OUR FIRST STEP TO CREATING A 26, 27 LAR IS TO ESTIMATE OUR BASE SPENDING LEVEL.
THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OUR ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION AND JUST ESTIMATE WHERE WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO LAND ON THAT FOR 24 AND 25.
WE SUBMIT THAT TO THE LBB, THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, AND ONCE THAT'S APPROVED, THAT CREATES THE CAP FOR WHAT YOU CAN REQUEST IN YOUR 26 AND 27 LAR.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT CAP, AGENCIES OCCASIONALLY WILL HAVE NEEDS THAT EXCEED THAT BASE SPIN THAT YOU'RE ALLOWED, AND SO THAT'S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN EXCEPTIONAL ITEM REQUEST.
WE HAVE ALREADY INITIATED AND ENGAGED WITH OUR DIVISIONS HERE AND COLLECTED 14 IDEAS FOR EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS. YOU CAN SEE ON OUR LITTLE GRAPHIC THERE, THAT'S WHERE SOME OF THE IDEAS HAVE COME FROM THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY.
THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE WILL TAKE 14 IDEAS AS THE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS TO OUR LAR, BUT THAT'S OUR STARTING POINT.
WE'LL START VETTING THOSE IDEAS WITH EXECUTIVE, WE'LL SELECT THE ONES THAT WE WANT TO HAMMER IN ON AND TAKE FORWARD AND WE'LL MOVE FROM THERE.
THEN THE LAST CONCEPT THAT WE WANTED TO COVER IS BUDGET FORECASTING.
[00:35:03]
THIS IS A TWO PRONGED ITEM.IT'S ABOUT LOOKING TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR CURRENT YEAR AND LETTING THAT INFORM YOU ABOUT SOME CHANGES THAT YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE TO YOUR PLANS IN THE CURRENT YEAR, MAYBE IT CREATES CHANGES IN THE PICTURE OF WHAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN IN THE OUT YEARS OF 25, 26, 27.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KICK THAT OFF TO START THE LAR.
WE'LL MEET WITH THE DIVISION DIRECTORS, ASCERTAIN THEIR NEEDS AND THEN WE'LL CREATE WHATEVER PLANS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO PIVOT TO MAKE THOSE NEEDS HAPPEN IF WE CAN.
WE'LL MEET WITH EXECUTIVE WITH ANY CONCLUSIONS THAT THE BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION CAN REACH AFTER TALKING WITH THE DIVISIONS, AND THEN WE'LL AFFECT THOSE THINGS IN THE LAR AS OUR 24, 25, 26 REQUEST.
WITH THOSE THINGS, NOW WE CAN START SLOTTING THIS STUFF INTO THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
HERE WE ARE SITTING IN MARCH, THE BASE RECONCILIATION INSTRUCTIONS HAVE ALREADY COME OUT.
WE'VE ALREADY INITIATED THOSE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS OF THE IDEAS, COLLECTED 14 OF THOSE, AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES TEAM IS GATHERING DATA TO START PREPARING TO HAVE THOSE FORECASTING CONVERSATIONS.
WHEN WE MOVE INTO NEXT MONTH, WE CAN START DECIDING ON WHICH EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS WE WANT TO TAKE INTO OUR LAR.
WE CAN HAVE THOSE SIT DOWN MEETINGS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE DIVISIONS FOR FORECASTING, THAT'LL HAPPEN IN APRIL.
MAY, JUST A LITTLE TOUCH POINT JUST TO SAY THE BASE RECON WILL BE DUE IN MAY, AND AFTER WE'VE DECIDED ON WHAT EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS WE WANT TO TAKE, WE SHOULD HAVE A REAL POLISHED DRAFT OF THOSE TO START PRESENTING TO OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR APPROVAL.
THEN MOVING INTO JUNE, AROUND THAT TIME IS WHEN THE LAR INSTRUCTIONS COME OUT.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE WAIT FOR THOSE INSTRUCTIONS.
THE LAR HAS EVERGREEN ITEMS THAT YOU DO EVERY SINGLE LAR CERTAINLY, BUT THERE'S ALSO ALWAYS NEW THINGS.
THERE'S NEW INSTRUCTION, SO SOMETIME IN JUNE, WE'LL EXPECT TO HAVE THOSE INSTRUCTIONS, AND WHEN WE DO, WE CAN START PREPARING OUR LAR IN EARNEST.
ALL OF THE SCHEDULES, EVERY BIT OF IT WILL START WORKING.
JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, SINCE YOU'RE ALREADY THERE, YOU'RE TOUCHING ALL THIS DATA, YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL THESE EXPENSES, HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, YOU MIGHT AS WELL START BUILDING YOUR 2025 INTERNAL OPERATING BUDGET.
SOMETIME IN JUNE, WE'LL START DOING.
IN JULY, WE'LL KEEP BUILDING OUT THOSE SCHEDULES.
WE SHOULD FINISH HAVE A FIRST DRAFT OF IT IN JULY, AT WHICH POINT WE CAN START GETTING SOME OF OUR INTERNAL APPROVALS FOR OUR FIRST DRAFT DONE.
FINAL APPROVAL SHOULD HAPPEN IN AUGUST AND WE SHOULD BE SUBMITTING OUR REPORT TIMELY SOMETIME THERE IN MID TO LATE AUGUST, JUST DEPENDING ON WHEN THE INSTRUCTIONS TELL US IT'S DUE.
WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE.
>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT. HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN AROUND HERE? SEVEN YEARS? THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN A GRAPHIC DISPLAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST, AND THAT'S EXCELLENT. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.
>> I WAS NERVOUS NOT HAVING A SINGLE DOLLAR IN A SLIDE THERE.
NOW, THAT'S VERY, VERY HELPFUL, THANK YOU.
I THINK IT ALLOWS EVERYONE TO APPRECIATE THAT THIS IS A PROCESS.
WE DON'T JUST SHOW UP IN JANUARY AND START ASKING FOR MONEY.
IT'S DILIGENTLY DONE, YOU GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM ALL THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY, AND IT'S A METHODICAL PROCESS.
I THINK THE MORE METHODICAL IT IS, AS EVIDENCED BY YOUR GRAPHIC DISPLAY, I THINK THE MORE LEGITIMATE OUR REQUEST CAN BE TO THE LEGISLATURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST A HAPHAZARD WILLY-NILLY, WE JUST NEED MORE MONEY.
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, WE ARE STEWARDS FOR THE PEOPLE AND THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW IT'S DONE. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY COMMENTS?
THE RECORD OFFICE REACHED OUT TO STATE AGENCIES REQUESTING ANY REDUCTION OR ANY MANDATORY, I GUESS, POSITION WITH THE [INAUDIBLE] AS IT RELATES TO LAR, OR IS THIS A CLEAN SLATE FOR THIS BANYAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER MAC.
THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, RIGHT NOW, NO, THEY HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED A NEED TO DO A REDUCTION.
I HAVE SAID IN A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS WHERE THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE HAS GIVEN AN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK.
I DON'T EXPECT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ASK US TO SCALE BACK.
BUT UNTIL IT'S OFFICIAL, AND AS IS OFFICIAL, WE DON'T KNOW.
BUT AT THIS TIME, I'M NOT ANTICIPATING THAT, THAT WILL BE AN ASK OF AGENCIES.
[00:40:01]
GENERALLY, THAT INSTRUCTION, I THINK, COMES OUT IN MAY, SO WE'RE A LITTLE EARLY.THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE EVALUATION OF LICENSE AND PERMIT FEES. DIRECTOR MOORELOCK.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM MARIANN MOORELOCK.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT, AND I AM EXCITED TO UPDATE YOU ON OUR FEES EVALUATION PROJECT, AN UPDATE FROM THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING.
THE WORKGROUP FIRST MET IN JANUARY, STARTED GATHERING DATA, AND THEN CONTINUED TO MEET IN FEBRUARY, AND HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS.
JUST TO STEP BACK A LITTLE BIT, THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE REQUIRES THE COMMISSION DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR SETTING FEES TO ENSURE THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE FEES IS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE CODE.
WE HAD TO EVALUATE DIFFERENT WAYS TO APPROACH THIS.
WE COULD DO ANYTHING FROM TAKE OUR APPROPRIATIONS AND DIVIDE BY 37 PERMITS.
WE COULD LOOK AT REVENUE, MAYBE DO A TIERED APPROACH.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GO ABOUT IT, BUT WHAT ULTIMATELY WE DECIDED TO DO WAS GO WITH A DATA-BASED APPROACH, WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION OF WHAT WE DID IN 2020.
SOME CHANGES WERE MADE ALONG THE WAY IN 2020, BUT THIS [INAUDIBLE], THAT'S WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO.
IT ALSO MAINTAINS THE REVENUE THAT WE'VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
FOR EACH LICENSE AND PERMIT TYPE, WE EVALUATED THE LEVEL EFFORT REQUIRED TO REGULATE THAT PERMIT TYPE.
WE USED FY '22, '23 DATA, AND SOME OF THAT IS BASED ON PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND OTHER INFORMATION IS BASED ON INFORMATION THAT WE JUST COLLECT ON OUR OWN.
ALSO, FY '22, '23 DATA WAS THE FIRST BIENNIUM WHERE WE HAD TWO FULL YEARS OF DATA REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NEW LICENSE AND PERMIT STRUCTURE.
SOME OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED FOR ENFORCEMENT HAD TO DO, OBVIOUSLY, WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, AND IT WAS BASED ON DATA ON PROTEST, INVESTIGATIONS, INSPECTIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE CASES, CRIMINAL CASES.
SIMILAR, IT WAS AUDIT, INVESTIGATIONS, AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, AND LICENSING.
THEY HAVE A CHECKLIST BASICALLY THAT THEY USE FOR AN ORIGINAL APPLICATION AND A DIFFERENT CHECKLIST FOR RENEWAL APPLICATIONS.
THE IDEA BEHIND ALL OF THIS WAS THE MORE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH A PERMIT TYPE, THE MORE IT COSTS TO REGULATE THAT PERMIT TYPE.
WE ALSO CONSIDERED OTHER FACTORS LIKE BASED ON PRIVILEGES AND AUTHORITIES GRANTED TO PERMIT TYPES IN THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CODE AND RULE.
CAN A CERTAIN PERMIT TYPE SELF-DISTRIBUTE? CAN IT HOLD TEMPORARY EVENTS? IS IT BASED ON THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE? IS IT A PREMISES, LIKE A CONVENIENCE STORE OR A RESTAURANT? IS IT A TERRITORY, LIKE FOR A DISTRIBUTOR, OR IS IT STATEWIDE, LIKE A WHOLESALERS PERMIT OR A CONSUMER DELIVERY PERMIT? WE TOOK ALL THOSE INTO ACCOUNT.
AGAIN, THE MORE PRIVILEGES AND AUTHORITIES YOU HAVE, THE MORE REGULATORY EFFORT, THE HIGHER THE FEE MIGHT BE.
WE WENT THROUGH THIS EFFORT, NEXT SLIDE, AND WE THINK NOW THE RESPONSIBILITY SHIFTS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IS BEFORE THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING, VISIT WITH EACH OF YOU ALL AND WALK THROUGH THE WORK PRODUCT OF THE WORKGROUP AND MAYBE MAKE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, SHARE THE INFORMATION, OFFER SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT, AND THEN YOU ALL CAN DECIDE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.
I'M OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
>> NOT AT THIS POINT, I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATIONS IN THE PRESENTATION OF THE DATA.
>> THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING.
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM WILL BE THE AIMS UPDATE.
WE GOT TO LAUGH AT A SET OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THAT.
[00:45:02]
IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU.>> IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AS WELL. GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS LORI SANCHEZ, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ITD, AND I WILL BE PRESENTING YOUR AIMS UPDATE.
AS ALWAYS, WE START WITH THE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS.
FROM SINCE AIMS HAS GONE LIVE THROUGH MARCH 11TH OF THIS MONTH, THERE HAVE BEEN APPROXIMATELY 37,000 ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED, APPROXIMATELY 73,000 RENEWAL APPLICATIONS, 68,000 PRODUCT REGISTRATIONS, AND ABOUT 21,000 ACCOUNT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS.
JUST FOR FURTHER CLARITY, ACCOUNT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS ARE FOR THINGS LIKE CHANGE OF TRADE NAME, CHANGE OF LOCATION OF THEIR SELF-SERVICE FUNCTIONS.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON PHASE 2 SCOPE.
SINCE THE LAST UPDATE TO THE COMMISSION, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED SOME INTERNAL FUNCTIONS.
THAT'S THE ENFORCEMENT UPDATES, THE LEGAL CASE MANAGEMENT, AND INTERNAL USER INTERFACE.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH, AND THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THIS SUMMER, BUT THE EXPUNGEMENT FUNCTIONALITY WHICH ALLOWS TABC USERS TO EXPUNGE DATA BASED ON LEGAL ORDERS.
THEN THE OPEN RECORDS REQUEST FUNCTIONALITY THAT ALLOWS TABC USERS TO EXTRACT INFORMATION FROM AIMS AND FULFILL OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS SUBMITTED.
SOME CHALLENGES, AS YOU KNOW, THAT WE FACE FOR PHASE 2.
WE FACE CHALLENGES AND WE'RE CURRENTLY FACING IMPACTS OF THOSE CHALLENGES.
FOR EACH CHALLENGE OR REALIZED RISK, WE'RE FOCUSING ON HIGH IMPACT AND HIGH PROBABILITY ITEMS. THIS APPROACH HAS ALLOWED AIMS TO CONTINUOUSLY BE DEVELOPED BY CONSTANTLY EVALUATING RISKS, EVALUATING IMPACT STAFF AND INDUSTRY, AND CONSIDERING BUDGET LIMITATIONS.
THE CURRENT KEY CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING IS THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS, SO THERE'S ROOM FOR OPPORTUNITY ON BOTH TABC AND THE VENDOR SIDE TO IMPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT QUALITY AND VENDOR QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTING.
SOME ACTIONS THAT WE'VE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ARE, THE VENDORS CONDUCTING SHADOW SESSIONS WITH OUR BUSINESS UNITS TO FURTHER UNDERSTAND DEFECTS FIRSTHAND.
THE EXECUTIVE TEAM IS MEETING WITH THE VENDOR TO DISCUSS THESE CHALLENGES, AS THEY'RE PRESENTED.
THE VENDOR IS WORKING TO REVISE THE QA PLAN AND PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY WHICH WILL BE UPDATED IN OUR REVISED CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
THEN WE'RE WORKING TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENT AND DESIGN PROCESS FOR PHASE 3, WHICH THIS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
THE TABC PROJECT MEMBERS HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE POSITIVE IMPACTS BASED ON OUR CHANGES TO THE PROCESS.
ONE OF THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE IS WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A CENTRALIZED DOCUMENT REPOSITORY FOR THE PROJECT TO ALLOW REAL-TIME ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS FOR THE VENDOR AND TABC STAFF.
>> I HAVE QUICK QUESTION. COULD YOU GO IN A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE WHERE THE VENDOR'S SHADOW SESSION IS? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> SURE. THE VENDOR IS SITTING WITH OUR END USERS OR OUR TEAM LEADS OF THE FUNCTIONS, AND THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS STEP BY STEP.
THEY'RE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT OUR USERS ARE TRYING TO DO AND WHAT THE SYSTEM IS DOING OR WHAT IT'S NOT DOING, AND WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS FOR US, BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS.
THEY'RE GETTING A FIRSTHAND LOOK, OR FIRST WALK-THROUGH, IF YOU WILL, OF THE FUNCTIONALITY AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUR PAIN POINTS ARE WHEN WE'RE PUTTING IN A DEFECT OR WE'RE SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR US, THEY'RE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE IT FIRSTHAND WITH US.
>> THIS IS WITH TABC REPRESENTATIVES NOT REMOTE REVIEWING OF WHAT [INAUDIBLE] ARE DOING, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. YES, SIR. IT'S ALL INTERNAL WITH TABC RESOURCES.
>> YES, YOU'RE WELCOME. AS WE TRANSITION INTO PHASE 3, WE'RE MAKING CHANGES TO OUR INTERNAL PROCESSES TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF AIMS FOR STAFF AND INDUSTRY.
WE'RE WORKING ON COMPLETING PHASE 2 SCOPE.
WE'VE CREATED AN ALL-INCLUSIVE IT PROJECT GOVERNANCE CALLED THE TECHNOLOGY PROJECT OVERSIGHT COUNCIL, WHICH INTERNALLY WE'RE CALLING TPOC.
THIS TPOC COUNCIL REVIEWS, PRIORITIZES, AND MAKES DECISIONS ON ALL TECHNOLOGY PROJECT SCOPE, INCLUDING AIMS. THEY REVIEW RISK AND POTENTIAL CHANGE REQUESTS, AND THEN THIS COUNCIL HAS PRIORITIZED AND CONTINUES TO PRIORITIZE AIMS PHASE 3 SCOPE ITEMS. THEN AS A RESULT OF INTERNAL AUDIT AND THIRD-PARTY VENDOR RISK ASSESSMENTS, WE'VE CONTINUED TO REVISE OUR VENDOR MANAGEMENT.
THE REVISIONS WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT AS WELL AS OUR PROJECT PROCESSES.
THIS WILL PROVIDE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AND EXPECTATION WITH OUR VENDOR.
THEN WE CONTINUE TO REVISE OUR COMMUNICATION PLAN, AND THIS WILL IDENTIFY WHAT WILL BE COMMUNICATED, WHO WILL BE COMMUNICATED WITH, AND BY WHOM FOR BOTH STAFF AND INDUSTRY.
THEN LASTLY, WE'RE IDENTIFYING FUNCTIONALITY ENHANCEMENTS.
WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR BUSINESS UNITS INTERNALLY TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN FUNCTIONALITY THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE PROCESS SO WE CAN IMPROVE THOSE ITEMS.
[00:50:06]
LASTLY, ON THIS SLIDE, I WANTED TO MENTION THAT WE HAVE ON BOARDED THE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION VENDOR, OR IV&V.THEY HAVE STARTED AND THEY WILL BE SUBMITTING A BASELINE ASSESSMENT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
JUST GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF DEFINITION OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING FOR US.
THEY'RE GOING TO PROVIDE A THIRD-PARTY IMPARTIAL ASSESSMENT OF OUR PROCESS AND PRODUCT USING INDUSTRY STANDARD PRACTICES AND DETERMINE IF THE PRODUCT FULFILLS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE PHASE, AND THEN DETERMINE IF WE'VE RECEIVED WHAT WAS AGREED UPON.
THEN THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> COMMISSIONER ADKINS, I KNOW YOU'RE DYING TO ASK A QUESTION HERE.
>> WELL, WE MAYBE HAVING A MAJOR IT PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE IN MAY, EITHER THAT MONDAY BEFORE OR THE MORNING BEFORE OUR COMMISSION MEETING, AND I WOULD LIKE A PRESENTATION FOR THE IT STEERING COMMITTEE AT THAT POINT JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS.
BUT I APPRECIATE ALL THESE EFFORTS.
>> DD SANCHEZ, EXCELLENT WORK.
AGAIN, IT'S BEEN A SLOG AND YOU'VE DONE A COMMENDABLE JOB GETTING THE TRAINS TO RUN ON TIME. WELL, OF COURSE, YOU'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
>> WELL, BIG THANKS TO THIS EXECUTIVE TEAM AND THE STAFF THAT CONTINUES TO DO THIS PROJECT WORK, AS WELL AS THEIR NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES.
>> BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT, I FORGOT TO ASK A QUESTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST SLIDES.
ON THE EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS I SAW THE PIE CHART WAS BROKEN OUT DETAILING HOW MANY ITEMS CAME FROM EACH TBC DIVISION.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET EACH OF THOSE DIVISION REQUESTS IN WRITING? I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXECUTIVE TEAM WILL BE BRINGING THE SELECTED OR TOP-PRIORITY ITEMS, BUT I'M INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT EACH DIVISION THINKS THEY NEED FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN ORDER TO FUNCTION.
IN ADDITION TO WHATEVER EXECUTIVE BRINGS, I'D LIKE TO HAVE THAT BACKGROUND IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S POSSIBLE, COMMISSIONER MACK.
JUST TO TEMPER YOUR EXPECTATIONS, IT'S NOT A POLISHED DRAFT.
WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO GIVE US IS IN THEIR WRITING AND THE OTHER THING IS WE ASKED THEM TO DREAM BIG.
I'M PRE-ANNOUNCING TO THEM THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE LISTENING, BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME THINGS ON THERE THAT I WOULD NOT SUGGEST FOR EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS. BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT I ASKED FOR, THEY GAVE IT TO ME.
BUT WE ABSOLUTELY WILL PASS THAT ON.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WHY DID WE ASK FOR THAT? I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS A PARTICULAR REQUEST.
A QUICK RECTIFICATION, I APPRECIATE. THANK YOU.
>> AS BASEBALL SEASON IS ABOUT TO START, IF YOU DON'T SWING THE BAT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HIT THE BALL.
>> I THINK IT'S GREAT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MACK.
GOOD QUESTION. I'M CURIOUS AS WELL.
THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[6. Rules]
IS CONSIDERATION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON ADOPTION OF 45.4; IS THAT CORRECT?>> PRODUCT REGISTRATION REQUIRED SENIOR COUNSEL CHERRY, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, CHAIRMAN.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, MATTHEW CHERRY, SENIOR COUNSEL.
THE NEXT ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO RULE 45.4 WHICH PERTAINS TO PRODUCT REGISTRATION.
THESE WERE THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE PROPOSED AT LAST MONTH'S COMMISSION MEETING.
THE AMENDMENTS ADD PRODUCTS THAT ARE SOLD BY A VINTAGE DISTILLED SPIRIT SELLER OR A WINE COLLECTION SELLER TO THE CURRENT LIST OF PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION BEFORE THEY ARE SOLD WITHIN THE STATE.
STAFF HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY 2ND TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE INDUSTRY.
WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMENTS AT THE PUBLIC HEARING NOR HAVE WE RECEIVED ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THESE AMENDMENTS.
AS OF THIS TIME, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RIPE FOR YOUR ADOPTION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF AMENDED RULE
[00:55:02]
45.4 PRODUCT REGISTRATION REQUIRED AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION?
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BOATRIGHT.
WE HAVE A SECOND, WE'LL NOW VOTE.
I HAVE A QUESTION NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THAT, PERHAPS OBLIQUELY, AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW, IT'S FINE.
BUT THERE'S BEEN AN ENORMOUS, I SAY, ENORMOUS EMERGENCE OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND BEERS, ET CETERA, AND I THINK THERE IS A MINUTE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL, THEY'RE NOT 100% BLEACHED OF ALL ALCOHOL.
ARE WE INVOLVED IN THE LABELING AND LICENSING OF THOSE PRODUCTS?
>> IT DEPENDS ON IF THEY MEET THE DEFINITION OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE IN OUR CODE.
THAT BASELINE THRESHOLD IN OUR CODE STARTS AT 0.5% ALCOHOL, IF IT'S A PRODUCT THAT THEY COULD THEN BE CONSUMED FOR BEVERAGE PURPOSES.
EVEN IF IT'S CONSIDERED, MAYBE BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A NON-ALCOHOL PRODUCT, IF IT ACTUALLY CONTAINS ALCOHOL AND IT IS ABOVE THAT 0.5% THRESHOLD, THEN IT DOES FALL UNDER OUR REGULATION AND LEGALLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED AND GO THROUGH THE FULL PROCESS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE THAT HAS A HIGHER ABV, LIKE A NORMAL MALT BEVERAGE.
>> MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU. THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS CONSIDERATION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ON PUBLICATION OF REVIEW OF CHAPTER 33, SUB-CHAPTERS A AND B RELATED TO LICENSING, APPLICATIONS, FEES, AND PAYMENTS.
>> YES. THIS IS THE FINAL ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND IT IS A PROPOSED RULE REVIEW THAT'S IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2001.039 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE.
THAT'S THE SECTION THAT REQUIRES AGENCIES TO REVIEW EACH OF ITS RULES WITHIN FOUR YEARS FROM THE RULE'S EFFECTIVE DATE, AND THEN EVERY FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER.
STAFF PROPOSES TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF SUB-CHAPTERS A AND B TO CHAPTER 33.
THAT COVERS CURRENT RULES 33.1 THROUGH 33.29.
IN THE COURSE OF THE REVIEW, STAFF WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE REASONS FOR INITIALLY ADOPTING THE RULES STILL EXIST AND TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE RULES SHOULD BE REPEALED, READOPTED, OR READOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS.
IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL, THEN STAFF WILL CONSIDER WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE RULE REVIEW THROUGH MAY 5TH, 2024.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION THAT YOU HAVE.
>> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I MOVE TO APPROVE PUBLICATION AND REVIEW CHAPTER 33 SUB-CHAPTERS A AND B, RELATING TO LICENSE APPLICATION FEES AND PAYMENTS AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> COMMISSIONER MACK, IS IT? COMMISSIONER ADKINS.
WHO WAS IT? MACK? THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> VOTES HAVE BEEN RECORDED. THE MOTION IS APPROVED.
NEXT ITEM IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[7. Executive Session]
THE COMMISSION WILL NOW GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE 551.074071.IS NOW IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION.
THE DATE IS TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024, AND IT IS NOON, 12:00 PM.
NEXT POTENTIAL ITEM, ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF WHICH THERE WERE NONE.
THERE WILL BE NO ACTION TAKEN.
NEXT TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEXT MEETING DATE.
[8. Closing Items]
THE NEXT SCHEDULED COMMISSION MEETING DATE IS PLANNED FOR TUESDAY, MAY 14TH, 2024.COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THAT DATE? IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOOD. THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO MEET ON TUESDAY, MAY 14TH, 2024.
THE TIME IS NOW 12:01 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY EASTER, WE'LL SEE YOU IN MAY.
[01:00:02]
>> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.