H.B. No. 2844 introduces new regulations for food service establishments in Texas, particularly focusing on small-scale food businesses and mobile food vendors. The bill adds Section 437.0063 to the Health and Safety Code, which exempts small-scale food businesses—defined as those with less than $1.5 million in annual gross revenue—from needing a permit or paying a fee to operate, provided they hold a relevant permit or are licensed as food manufacturers. Additionally, local authorities are prohibited from imposing conflicting regulations. The bill also creates Chapter 437B, which outlines licensing requirements for mobile food vendors, mandating that they obtain a mobile food vendor license and undergo health inspections, while preempting local authorities from enacting conflicting regulations.

Moreover, the bill establishes a statewide database to track licensed mobile food vendors and their inspection results, and it specifies compliance requirements, including conditions for license denial, suspension, or revocation. It introduces administrative penalties for operating with a suspended or revoked license and clarifies that individuals cannot operate food establishments without a permit. The bill repeals Section 437A.003 and delays the requirement for mobile food vendors to hold a license under the new chapter until July 1, 2026. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting necessary rules by May 1, 2026, with most provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026, and certain administrative penalties effective earlier on September 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance public health and safety through improved regulatory oversight of mobile food vendors.

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)