Beginning July 1st, Lubbock area food trucks will be presented a new opportunity (and may face a little competition) thanks to House Bill 2844, which will make food truck permitting statewide. Previously, food trucks faced permit and inspection fees in each municipality, making travel a costly endeavor.

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What’s changing

Currently, food truck operators in cities like Lubbock must obtain permits and pass inspections in every city where they want to do business. These requirements can cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars and take time away from daily operations.

Under the new system:

• A single statewide permit replaces city-by-city licensing
• Inspections will be handled at the state level
• Fees will range from about $300 to $1,350 initially, depending on the type of food preparation (prepackaged food vs. food cooked in the truck)
• Annual renewals will cost between $300 and $850

State officials estimate roughly 19,000 food trucks will be licensed under the new system.

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How This Can Open Up The Road For Lubbock Trucks

Lubbock has some phenomenal food trucks, and soon they will be able to showcase that food in other cities easily. Of course, they could travel to nearby-ish cities like Amarillo, but this also makes it easier for trucks to enter competitions and participate in big events across the state, like fairs and rodeos.

From municipality to municipality, the standards that food trucks should uphold are always going to be nearly identical. Proper food handling, preparation, and storage are what keep folks from getting sick. There's simply no need for every place to take their pound of flesh from these small business owners. This is common-sense legislation that benefits the little guy (even if it does move some money from municipalities to the State).