{"AmendmentNumber":"414","ParentBillNumber":"H5562","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"O_R1","Name":"Orlando Ramos","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/O_R1","ResponseDate":"2026-07-06T16:06:08.333"},"Category":null,"Action":"Consolidated","RollCall":[],"Title":"Mobile Vendors","Branch":"House","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Mr. Ramos of Springfield moves to amend the bill by adding the following new section: \r\nSECTION XX. Chapter 94 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 328 the following section:-\r\nSection XXX. Universal Mobile Food Vendor Permitting and Reciprocity Program.\r\n(a) The Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Division of Occupational Licensure, the Executive Office of Economic Development, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association, shall establish a Universal Mobile Food Vendor Permitting and Reciprocity Program to reduce regulatory barriers to small business growth, promote entrepreneurship, enhance tourism and economic activity, and streamline municipal permitting requirements for mobile food establishments operating within the commonwealth.\r\n(b) The Department shall develop and maintain a centralized digital permitting portal through which a mobile food vendor may:\r\n1.\tApply for and renew a statewide mobile food vendor safety certificate;\r\n2.\tSubmit documentation demonstrating compliance with state sanitary codes, including proof of commissary or base-of-operation agreements and required inspections;\r\n3.\tProvide notice to participating municipalities of the vendor’s intent to operate within a municipality; and\r\n4.\tMaintain a digital record of permits, inspections, and compliance certifications.\r\n(c) Any municipality participating in the program shall recognize a valid mobile food vendor permit, health inspection approval, or statewide safety certificate issued pursuant to this section as satisfying local health and food safety inspection requirements. Participating municipalities may continue to enforce local requirements relating to:\r\n1.\tZoning;\r\n2.\tTraffic and parking management;\r\n3.\tFire and public safety;\r\n4.\tTime, place, and manner restrictions governing mobile food operations; and\r\n5.\tLocal licensing requirements not inconsistent with this section.\r\n(d) No participating municipality shall require a duplicate health inspection or duplicate health permit fee for a mobile food vendor that maintains a valid statewide safety certificate and remains in compliance with applicable state sanitary regulations.\r\n(e) The Department shall promulgate regulations establishing standards for reciprocity, inspection recognition, data sharing, enforcement procedures, and a standardized fee structure for the digital permitting portal. A portion of collected fees may be distributed to participating municipalities to offset reasonable administrative costs associated with implementation of the program.\r\n(f) The Department shall submit an annual report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives detailing program participation, permit processing times, municipal participation rates, and recommendations for improving regulatory efficiency and small-business growth within the mobile food vendor sector.\r\n"}