Relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages in areas annexed by certain municipalities.

HB 4449 requires certain municipalities (those wholly within counties containing parts of U.S. Highways 60 and 87 with populations over 12,000) to automatically extend their existing alcohol sales status (wet or dry) to any newly annexed areas. This eliminates the need for a separate local vote on alcohol sales in annexed territories. The law applies to all annexations occurring before, during, or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. It directly affects residents and businesses in annexed areas of qualifying municipalities by aligning their alcohol regulations with the municipality’s current status.