Food truck permitting bill passes Senate

The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved legislation to make it easier for food trucks to operate in the state.

Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, said he and others worked with multiple state agencies for more than two years on Senate Bill 197 after they heard from food truck vendors in their districts.

The bill requires food truck operators to obtain valid health and fire inspection certificates, but says they don’t have to get additional local permits if they travel to various counties to operate temporarily.

“It’s a win-win for all of our independent, small business guys that are out there working,” Roberts said on the Senate floor. “Before, if they were going to go into Greene County (from another county where they’re based) they had to go to the city to get a fire marshal check, to get a health department check every time. This allows them to get a six-month sticker to come out and do their work.”

Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, clarified on the Senate floor that local municipalities will have the ability to do on-site inspections and close a food truck if it is deemed unsafe for serving food.

The bill was approved 27-0 and now moves to a House committee.