A Republican representative who introduced legislation loosening rules for food trucks says he’s now changing the bill after critics said it could harm push-cart vendors.

Kevin Payne says he’s now working with Democratic Rep. Cesar Chavez on House Bill 2371, after a local nonprofit started a campaign against the measure and Phoenix New Times published a story on it. Payne, who’s open about owning a barbecue food truck himself, said his bill is about making business easier for all food vendors – not about targeting anyone.   

“We absolutely did not think that this was going to hurt anybody, so it should not be interpreted that way,” he said. “And just to make sure it isn’t, we’re going to make these changes.”

But Payne is still not sure exactly what changes will be made and is still working with Chavez.
Payne said the main intent of the bill is to create one permit that mobile food vendors can use statewide – instead of requiring a different permit in each city.

“We’re just trying to make it easier, so they didn’t have to go through so much red tape, you know, to try to make a living, and that affects the big trucks, as well as the little push carts,” he said. “They’re all under these unbelievable regulations.”

Payne said the bill’s changes could be finished sometime this week.