Longview Food Truck Operators Welcome New State Laws to Simplify Operations

Food truck owners in Longview are excited about two new state laws that will simplify their operations. These changes promise to make running a food truck easier and may even boost business.

The Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 2844, known as the Food Truck Freedom Bill. Starting in July 2026, this law will transfer the authority for permitting and inspecting food trucks from local cities to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Instead of requiring separate permits for each city, food truck owners will now need just one statewide permit.

Another significant change came with Senate Bill 1008, which took effect on September 1. This law prevents cities from imposing extra regulations beyond state guidelines. For Longview food trucks, this means they no longer need to have a local commissary—a commercial kitchen for food storage— as long as they have one outside the city.

Nathan Elliott, who runs The Twisted Chef, believes these laws will save money on permits and attract more food trucks to Longview. He expressed frustration with the old regulations. “It cost me thousands to modify my truck due to city rules,” he said. “Now I can focus more on my food and less on paperwork.”

Yet, not everyone is completely on board. Michael Shirley, Longview’s director of Development Services, has concerns about safety. With only 40 state inspectors for over 12,000 food trucks in Texas, there’s a risk that inspections may fall short. “We want to ensure consumer safety, and we’re worried about the state’s capacity to manage this,” he explained.

The local food truck operators recently met with city officials to discuss the new laws. They felt reassured that they still need to follow fire and zoning codes, keeping safety a priority.

Interestingly, the changes also affect restaurants. Senate Bill 1008 stops the city from adding its own permit and inspection rules for restaurants, although Longview had minimal extra requirements. Now, caterers won’t need city permits, and small-scale food manufacturers doing under $1.5 million in annual revenue can skip local permits if they have state approval.

While these reforms might streamline the permitting process, Shirley warns it could lead to inconsistencies. Without city inspections, residents won’t have easy access to health scores for some food establishments, which might raise concerns.

Despite the challenges, food truck operators remain optimistic. They want to see more food trucks pop up in Longview, creating space for culinary creativity and new entrepreneurs. “I love the idea of more great cooks bringing their food to local events,” Elliott said. “It’s a win for everyone.”

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