OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that cuts the red tape on Oklahoma’s food truck industry into state law.
House Bill 1076, also known as the Food Truck Freedom Act, was signed into law on Tuesday.
HB 1076, written by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, and Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, streamlines food truck licensing in Oklahoma 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.
“Too many food truck operators were being forced to shut down simply because they couldn’t keep up with the maze of local permits and fees,” Hildebrant said. “This bill changes that. By establishing a single statewide license, we’re making it possible for more vendors to stay in business, grow their customer base and contribute to the local economy without getting buried in paperwork.”
The bill passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives with nearly unanimous bipartisan support. It succeeded with an 85-3 vote. It passed the Oklahoma Senate with a 41-4 vote.
The new law enables mobile food vendors will receive a single, statewide permit to operate in Oklahoma while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
Food trucks were previously required to obtain separate permits for each city or county where they operated, resulting in duplicative fees and logistical hurdles
Inconsistent permitting requirements frequently forced food trucks to shut down or bypass the permitting process.
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.
Gillespie said the new law supports small businesses and entrepreneurship.
“The signing of the Food Truck Freedom Act is a big win for small business owners and entrepreneurs across Oklahoma,” Gillespie said. “Food trucks bring jobs, creativity and economic growth to our communities. This law cuts unnecessary red tape and makes it easier for these businesses to operate, thrive and serve Oklahomans wherever they go.”
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.
“We’ve seen other states adopt similar measures and watch their food truck industries thrive,” Hildebrant said. “Now, that same opportunity is a reality for Oklahoma vendors. With a single statewide license, food truck owners finally have a clear path to turn their business dreams into reality.”
