Evansville, Ind. (WEHT) – According to the Indiana House Republicans, this past year, local food truck operators raised concerns about the patchwork of sometimes costly regulatory ordinances from county to county, which can make it difficult to expand their businesses. Officials say currently, some Indiana counties do not offer a permit for food trucks and some have their own regulations, licenses and fees.
According to State Representative Tim O’Brien, he supported a new law to support Indiana’s food truck industry. Rep. O’Brien says House Enrolled Act 1258 will simplify the process by capping certain fees and requiring local health departments to create mobile retail food establishment permits that follow a set of universal state standards by 2025.
Officials with Rep. O’Brien’s office say food trucks are a growing industry and it’s important to create uniform standards for them to follow instead of allowing “red tape” to create “hurdles.” Officials say under the new law, application fees for a mobile retail food license are capped at $200 annually.
According to State Representative Tim O’Brien, additionally, the law will prevent local health departments from charging additional fees beyond the application fee for inspections. He says food truck inspections will also follow rules adopted by the Indiana Department of Health.
