Will this new Oklahoma law make food trucks the next big thing?

A new law signed by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt this week is bringing relief to food truck owners across the state who have long struggled with complex and costly licensing requirements.

The Food Truck Freedom Act, also known as House Bill 1076, creates a single statewide license for mobile food vendors — a major shift from the previous system that required separate permits for every city and county a vendor operated in. 

The bill, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant (R-Catoosa) and Sen. Christi Gillespie (R-Broken Arrow), passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 85-3 in the House.

One License, Statewide Access

Before the new law, food truck operators had to apply for — and pay for — multiple local permits, a process that many small business owners found burdensome and financially unsustainable.

“Too many food truck operators were being forced to shut down simply because they couldn’t keep up with the maze of local permits and fees,” said Rep. Hildebrant. “This bill changes that.”

Under the new legislation, any food truck with a valid Oklahoma food establishment license can operate anywhere in the state, as long as they comply with local health and zoning rules.

Vendors will still need to inform the Oklahoma State Department of Health and local authorities before serving at mass gatherings and must maintain cleanliness within a 25-foot radius of their trucks.

Following Other States’ Lead

Oklahoma joins states like Nevada, Georgia and Arizona in adopting a streamlined food truck licensing model. Lawmakers say the reform supports entrepreneurship while still maintaining public health and safety standards.

With the Food Truck Freedom Act now in effect, Oklahoma’s mobile food scene may soon become more accessible, more diverse and more sustainable for vendors and customers alike.