H.B. No. 2844 amends the Health and Safety Code to regulate food service establishments, including retail food stores and mobile food vendors. It introduces a new section, 437.0063, which exempts small-scale food businesses with less than $1.5 million in annual gross revenue from needing a permit or paying fees, provided they hold a permit from the department or are licensed as food manufacturers. The bill also preempts local authorities from imposing conflicting regulations on these small businesses. Additionally, it creates Chapter 437B, which outlines the licensing requirements for mobile food vendors, including the necessity for separate licenses for each vending vehicle and the establishment of health inspection protocols.

The bill further amends existing regulations by clarifying that individuals cannot operate food service establishments without a permit and introduces penalties for operating with a suspended or revoked mobile food vendor license. It repeals Section 437A.003, delaying the requirement for mobile food vendors to hold a license under Chapter 437B until July 1, 2026. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting rules by May 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with certain provisions taking effect earlier. Overall, the bill aims to enhance public health and safety standards for food service operations while providing support for small-scale food businesses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 437.001, Health and Safety Code 437.002, Health and Safety Code 437.003, Health and Safety Code 437.004, Health and Safety Code 437.0055, Health and Safety Code 437.0057, Health and Safety Code 437.0076, Health and Safety Code 437.0095, Health and Safety Code 437.012, Health and Safety Code 437.014, Health and Safety Code 437.0145, Health and Safety Code 437.015, Health and Safety Code 437.016, Health and Safety Code 437.0165, Health and Safety Code 437.0185, Health and Safety Code 437.021, Health and Safety Code 121.0035, Penal Code 37.01, Health and Safety Code 437.0073 (Health and Safety Code 437, Penal Code 37, Health and Safety Code 121)
House Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 437.0055 (Health and Safety Code 437, Penal Code 37, Health and Safety Code 121)
Engrossed: Health and Safety Code 437.0055 (Health and Safety Code 437, Penal Code 37, Health and Safety Code 121)
Senate Committee Report: Health and Safety Code 437.0055 (Health and Safety Code 437, Penal Code 37, Health and Safety Code 121)
Enrolled: Health and Safety Code 437.0055 (Health and Safety Code 437, Penal Code 37, Health and Safety Code 121)