EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A new statewide licensing system for Texas food trucks took effect Wednesday, shifting health licensing and enforcement responsibilities from local governments to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).<\/p>\n
House Bill 2844, passed during the 2025 Texas legislative session, replaces the local health permits many mobile food vendors previously obtained from cities or counties with a single statewide license.<\/p>\n
Chris Van Deusen, spokesperson for DSHS, said the biggest change for food truck owners is where they apply for a license.<\/p>\n
“The really big change is where to make that application and who is doing the licensing,” Van Deusen said. “Rather than dealing with the City of El Paso or a county wherever you are in Texas, that license will be done by us here at the state health department.”<\/p>\n
The statewide program applies to a variety of mobile food vendors, including food trucks, trailers, and certain food carts.<\/p>\n
According to DSHS, many local jurisdictions will continue performing inspections under contract with the state, meaning vendors may still see local inspectors during the inspection process.<\/p>\n
However, enforcement authority now rests with DSHS.<\/p>\n
Anthony Morales, the City of El Paso’s Sanitary Services Manager, said the transition does not remove the city entirely from the process.<\/p>\n
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“We don’t anticipate any loss of revenue. We entered into a cooperative agreement with the state, so we’ll be able to conduct inspections at their request,” Morales said.<\/p>\n
Morales added that food truck owners must still comply with local fire and zoning ordinances, even though the state now oversees food truck licensing and enforcement.<\/p>\n
For food truck owners who already have a valid local permit, DSHS says there is a transition period.<\/p>\n
Vendors who submit a complete state application and pay the required fees may continue operating while waiting for their initial state inspection.<\/p>\n
Van Deusen said DSHS is working to make the transition as smooth as possible and encourages owners to apply through the agency’s website.<\/p>\n
“The requirements are generally going to be the same,” Van Deusen said. “There shouldn’t be too much of a difference for the vendors. Hopefully, we’re trying to make that transition as smooth as possible.”<\/p>\n
Food truck owners can apply for a statewide license through the Texas Department of State Health Services’ mobile food vendor licensing webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n DSHS says more than 3,000 applications have already been submitted and expects that number to continue growing as vendors transition to the new statewide system.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: List: Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in El Paso; celebrations<\/a><\/p>\n