Latest news with #HB2844
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landgraf's food truck freedom bill heads to Governor's desk
NOTE: The video above first aired on March 6, 2025. AUSTIN (KMID/KPEJ)- Legislation by State Representative Brooks Landgraf to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for food truck owners across Texas has cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature and is now headed to Governor Greg Abbott's desk to be signed into law. House Bill 2844 creates a single, statewide health permit for food trucks issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This new system replaces the confusing patchwork of local health permits and duplicative inspections that currently burden mobile food vendors operating in multiple jurisdictions. 'Food truck owners shouldn't have to jump through a different set of hoops every time they cross a city limit,' Landgraf said. 'This bill provides a consistent, statewide framework for health permitting—cutting red tape while keeping food safety standards strong.' HB 2844 ensures that mobile food vendors are held to uniform, high health standards without being subjected to redundant local regulations. At the same time, the bill preserves local control by allowing cities to continue enforcing rules on where, when, and how food trucks operate—such as zoning restrictions, hours of operation, and proximity to events or schools. 'This is a big win for Texas small business owners, especially the hard-working entrepreneurs running food trucks in our communities,' Landgraf said. 'Instead of spending thousands of dollars on repetitive permits and unnecessary fees, food truck owners will be able to reinvest that money into growing their business—upgrading equipment, hiring more staff, and expanding their operations.' Landgraf filed the Food Truck Freedom bill at the request of several food truck operators in Odessa and Monahans. State Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) sponsored the bill in the Senate. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, following the creation of the statewide permit by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landgraf's Food Truck Freedom Bill passes Texas House
Editor's note: The video above first aired March 6th in a separate story regarding a similar food truck bill and how it could impact businesses. TEXAS (KMID/KPEJ)- On Friday, the Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to help food truck owners and operators across Texas. Written by State Representative Brooks Landgraf, House Bill 2844, the 'Mobile Food Vendor Regulatory Consistency Act,' allows food truck operators to purchase a single, statewide license, replacing the current process of buying local permits everywhere they visit. 'Texas is a place where entrepreneurs should thrive, not get buried under layers of red tape,' Landgraf said. 'This bill cuts through the bureaucracy and makes it easier for hard-working Texans to grow their businesses, provide for their families, and serve their communities.' Under HB 2844, food truck owners will no longer have to navigate different health permitting and inspection requirements in every city they operate. Instead, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will issue a uniform license that allows mobile food vendors to operate 2844 does not interfere with a city's ability to enforce local rules regarding where and when food trucks can operate. Municipalities would retain full authority to adopt and enforce time, place, and manner restrictions to ensure compatibility with local needs and conditions. 'This is a win for small businesses, a win for public health, and a win for common sense,' Landgraf added. 'I'm grateful that food truck owners in Odessa pitched the idea to me, and to have good feedback from local leaders like Councilman Craig Stoker in fine-tuning the bill.' With House approval secured, HB 2844 now moves to the Texas Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
