Oppose HB2118: Protect Local Authority Over Food Truck Safety Standards

I urge you to oppose HB2118 when it comes before the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday. This bill would eliminate the ability of cities and counties to require background checks, identification verification, or fingerprinting from food truck owners before issuing licenses, creating unnecessary public safety risks in our communities. Arizona already removed state-level requirements for these safety checks, delegating this authority to local governments. HB2118 would eliminate these protections entirely. Background checks can reveal criminal history, local civil court records, and driving history, all relevant considerations when licensing mobile food vendors who operate vehicles on public roads and serve food directly to residents. Food trucks are unique businesses that combine food service with commercial driving. They move through neighborhoods, park near schools and public events, and serve vulnerable populations including children. Local governments are best positioned to determine appropriate safety standards for their communities based on local conditions and concerns. Cities and counties should retain the flexibility to conduct reasonable vetting of food truck operators if they determine such measures protect their residents. Representative Neal Carter's HB2118 represents government overreach in the opposite direction, preventing local elected officials from implementing commonsense safety measures their constituents may want. This is not about creating burdensome regulations but about preserving local control over public safety decisions. The bill has already passed second reading in the House and moves quickly to committee. I ask that you vote against HB2118 in the House Commerce Committee on Wednesday and preserve the authority of cities and counties to establish appropriate licensing standards for mobile food vendors operating in their jurisdictions. Local governments should maintain the option to require basic background screening when issuing food truck licenses if their communities determine such measures are warranted.