Bill requiring new equipment standards for Georgia food trucks clears legislature

A bill sponsored by State Rep. Dexter Sharper setting new safety equipment standards for mobile food vehicles has received approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

The measure passed both chambers on Friday, March 27, with votes of 93-64 in the House and 32-21 in the Senate.

Introduced as HB369 on Monday, Feb. 10, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill was formally described as: ’Motor vehicles; sale of food or beverages; provide vehicle equipment standards’.

Below is an overview based on the bill text and may include clarifications to aid understanding.

The bill requires that, as of Jan. 1, 2026, any motor vehicle used predominantly for selling food or beverages on roadways in Georgia must comply with designated equipment requirements. Such vehicles must have a yellow, triangular horizontal signal arm on the left side that can extend outward, and must display “caution,” “slow,” or “children.” A rear sign, measuring at least 3 square feet, alerting others that the vehicle makes frequent stops is also mandated. The Department of Public Safety is given the authority to create rules and procedures for these requirements. The bill repeals any conflicting laws.

In the House, 93 Republicans backed the bill, while 62 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted against it.

In the Senate, 32 Republicans voted in favor, whereas 21 Democrats opposed the bill.

Additional co-sponsors included Rep. Sylvia Wayfer Baker (Democrat-64th), Rep. Eric Bell (Democrat-75th), Rep. Terry Cummings (Democrat-39th), and three others.

Rep. Sharper is a 1992 graduate of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

A Democrat, Sharper has represented Georgia’s 177th House District since 2013, succeeding former state representative Mark Hatfield.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 12.

As outlined by Georgia’s legislative process, a bill begins with drafting, moves through committee review after its first reading, and, if approved, is brought to the chamber for debate and a vote. Bills passing both chambers are sent to the governor, who then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law. The Georgia General Assembly convenes annually for a 40-day session starting on the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.