The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer to lighten the regulatory burden on operators of food trucks.
The State Mobile Food Establishment Registration Act (2018-S 2502A), which Senator Euer introduced on behalf of the Department of Administration, would standardize the business registration process for trucks or carts that sell food, ice cream or lemonade by creating a state mobile food establishment registration, and would explicitly exempt such establishments from laws regulating hawkers and peddlers, according to a press release from the Rhode Island General Assembly’s Legislative Press & Public Information Bureau.
Currently, food truck and cart operators must navigate different regulatory structures in each municipality in which they operate. The bill would maintain the ability of municipalities to regulate location and hours of operation.
“As popular as food trucks are, Rhode Island’s complicated regulatory hurdles for them can hinder their development. Streamlining those regulations will encourage more people to launch new and exciting businesses that support families, provide jobs and strengthen Rhode Island’s rich culinary atmosphere,” said Senator Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) in a press release on Tuesday. “All of our communities are enriched when mom-and-pop businesses are able to flourish. Eliminating overregulation is a way we can support these small businesses, enhancing the character of our communities while allowing hardworking entrepreneurs to succeed.”
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) is sponsoring companion legislation (2018-H 7790). The Senate bill is cosponsored by Sen. Paul V. Jabour (D-Dist. 5, Providence), Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence), Sen. Adam J. Satchell (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick) and Sen. Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence).