OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – A bill to streamline food truck licensing in Oklahoma succeeded in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
House Bill 1076, also known as the Food Truck Freedom Act, written by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, passed the House of Representatives with a 85-3 vote.
The bill seeks to streamline food truck licensing by allowing vendors with a valid state food establishment license to operate anywhere in Oklahoma as long as they adhere to applicable state and local laws.
“The food truck industry has grown tremendously in recent years, and we need to make sure vendors are able to operate with a streamlined licensing process while maintaining public health and safety,” Hildebrant said.
If HB1076 becomes law, mobile food vendors will receive a single, statewide permit to operate in Oklahoma while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
Licensed vendors can operate at any location permitted by the local authority, including private properties.
Inconsistent permitting requirements frequently force food trucks to shut down or bypass the permitting process.
“Currently, mobile food vendors must obtain separate permits for each city or county in which they operate, creating excessive costs and regulatory hurdles,” Hildebrant said. “This bill would provide a clear, statewide framework that supports both vendors and local governments.”
The Food Truck Freedom Act lists the following operational requirements mobile food vendors must follow:
- Keeping their vending vehicle in good condition;
- Providing a waste receptacle and removing refuse within a 25-foot radius of the vehicle;
- Displaying their food establishment license in a visible location; and
- Notifying the State Department of Health and local authorities within 10 days if they plan to serve food at a mass gathering.
Nevada, Arizona and Georgia are among the many states that have implemented similar food truck licensing policies. House officials say those policies brought significant growth to mobile food industries.
HB 1076 will next head to the Oklahoma State Senate for consideration.
