TX HB2844

Small-scale food businesses (farmers and food producers with less than $1.5 million in annual gross revenue) are exempt from local permit requirements and fees if they hold a state department permit or are licensed as a food manufacturer

Creates a statewide mobile food vendor licensing system requiring a separate license for each food vending vehicle, with licenses expiring annually and applications processed within 14 days

Prohibits state rules from imposing certain requirements on mobile food vendors, including GPS tracking devices, mandatory commissary associations, distance requirements from restaurants, fingerprint collection, or constant motion requirements

Establishes three mobile food vendor classifications (Type I, II, III) based on food handling complexity, with corresponding health inspection frequencies and fee schedules

Preempts local authorities from regulating mobile food vendors in ways that conflict with state law, though local fire codes, zoning, and location restrictions remain enforceable

Rules must be adopted by May 1, 2026, with the licensing requirement taking effect July 1, 2026; vendors operating after license suspension or revocation face administrative penalties