1

Stewart, Amy (DBR)

From: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 8:29 AMTo: Stewart, Amy (DBR)Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] : Mobile Food Establishments

Jorge Bannister Licensing Aide State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Division of Commercial Licensing 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 69-1 Cranston, R.I. 02920 Phone: (401) 462-9647 Fax: (401) 462-9645 Email: jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov From: Jane Christopher   Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 12:34 PM To: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)  Cc: Sandra Giovanelli ; Jennifer Cameron  Subject: [EXTERNAL] : Mobile Food Establishments  Good afternoon, Jorge.  We have been considering here in Cumberland how best to approach the upcoming regulations for the state registration of MBEs.  In the documentation you sent previously, and as seen on the DBR section of the SOS site, any MBE that has renewed or obtained a license with us prior to July 1, 2019, has a grace period until December 31, 2019 before it is mandatory they register with the State.  Our current licenses expire March 31st. We thought we would offer our licensees the option to:  1. either renew their existing license with Cumberland and pro‐rate the fee through December 31, 2019, whereupon they would conform with the new state regulations; or,  2.: pro‐rate their renewal through June 30, 2019, setting their conformance date to July 1.  We would also be sending the licensees copies of the new regulations for reference.  Our question to you is: if we offer, and the licensee selects, option #1, are we in any way in non‐compliance with the state? Would you require notification from us of those MBEs who choose this option?  Thank you for your assistance. I expect you are fielding a lot of questions.  Jane Christopher Deputy Town Clerk  

2

Cumberland 

From: jimmckiv@aol.comTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Subject: [EXTERNAL] : Del"s Lemonade Trucks & CartsDate: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 11:37:57 AM

Hi Jorge,

I own the Del's Lemonade in East Providence and service East Providence, Providence and Barrington.Will this new regulation effect me? I also have several Del's push carts in Providence.

Sincerely,Jim McKivergan

mailto:jimmckiv@aol.commailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.gov

From: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)To: Stewart, Amy (DBR)Cc: Taylor, Tina (DBR); Desilets, LeeAnn (DBR)Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] : Food TrucksDate: Friday, February 22, 2019 8:54:55 AMAttachments: image002.jpg

Good Morning, Amy, Raymond Pacheco from the Providence Fire Department sent this along to me to let meknow what their basic standards are for inspecting food trucks. Thought this would be helpful. Thank you, Jorge BannisterLicensing AideState of Rhode IslandDepartment of Business RegulationDivision of Commercial Licensing1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 69-1Cranston, R.I. 02920Phone: (401) 462-9647Fax: (401) 462-9645Email: jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov From: Pacheco, Raymond (Plan Review) Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2019 4:10 PMTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR) Cc: Went, Andrew Subject: [EXTERNAL] : Food Trucks Greetings, I am the one of the inspectors in Providence that conducts food truck inspections. Although I have searched NFPA and the state fire code, it appears that nothing is documented onprotecting propane tanks from projectile while the vehicle is in transport. In Providence we require all food trucks that maintain exterior propane tanks to be protected by asecured diamond cut metal box with a door and accessible shut off switch on the propane tank incase of emergency. In the event projectile from spinning tires on the road, strike a propane tank, it is protected. This alsomay provide protection from minor accidents. As the AHJ, we have implemented these practices to protect tanks from unexpected contact orimpact during transport. This also limits access to the elements which over time will affect the

mailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.govmailto:Amy.Stewart@dbr.ri.govmailto:Tina.Taylor@dbr.ri.govmailto:LeeAnn.Desilets@dbr.ri.govmailto:jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov

integrity of the tanks. Just wanted to give our input at PFD. Thank You. RPacheco_Esignature_2014

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From: Carol AquilanteTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Cc: Lyn AntonuccioSubject: [EXTERNAL] : Mobile Food EstablishmentsDate: Tuesday, February 05, 2019 12:10:12 PM

Hello Jorge Does the mobile food truck (State Permit) require a State Department of Health inspection at theonset of the permit and consecutively each year. Thank you Carol A. Aquilante, CMCTown ClerkProbate ClerkMunicipal Court ClerkSmithfield Town Clerk’s Office64 Farnum PikeSmithfield, R.I. 02917401-233-1000 x111401-232-7244 Fax Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing this e-mail. This e-mail transmittal (and attachments, if any) is intended only for the addressee shownabove. It may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected fromdisclosure. Any review, dissemination or use of this transmission or its contents by persons otherthan the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, pleasenotify us immediately by reply e-mail and destroy the original and all copies of this transmittal. Thank you.

mailto:caquilante@smithfieldri.commailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.govmailto:lantonuccio@smithfieldri.com

From: Carol AquilanteTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Cc: Lyn AntonuccioSubject: [EXTERNAL] : Mobile Food EstablishmentsDate: Tuesday, February 05, 2019 12:15:55 PM

Dear Jorge Question Number 2 We do not have Viewpoint. However, your regulations would mandate the Town to have it. Wouldwe be able to track the State Permit, as well as the State tracking the cities and towns. I really do not feel that the State Regulations should mandate the cities and towns to have Viewpointwithout some subsiding from the State because of the their charges. Thank you Carol A. Aquilante, CMCTown ClerkProbate ClerkMunicipal Court ClerkSmithfield Town Clerk’s Office64 Farnum PikeSmithfield, R.I. 02917401-233-1000 x111401-232-7244 Fax Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing this e-mail. This e-mail transmittal (and attachments, if any) is intended only for the addressee shownabove. It may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or otherwise protected fromdisclosure. Any review, dissemination or use of this transmission or its contents by persons otherthan the addressee is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, pleasenotify us immediately by reply e-mail and destroy the original and all copies of this transmittal. Thank you.

mailto:caquilante@smithfieldri.commailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.govmailto:lantonuccio@smithfieldri.com

From: Timothy A PrayTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Subject: [EXTERNAL] : Mobile food unitsDate: Friday, January 25, 2019 2:32:14 PM

Mr. Bannister,

I am writing regarding the proposed legislation for Mobile Food Vehicles.

I am the chairperson for the Warren Rotary Club’s Warren Quahog Festival.

We have had a mobile food license for over 35 years, but we do not have any type of vehicleor trailer.

We set up our kitchen under canopy tents. We have the Warren fire marshal check our set upeach year before we begin operation of our weekend event to make sure we haveall the necessary fire extinguishers on hand and are spectator safe under his guidance. Wealso have afireman, an EMT and 3 to 4 local police detail officers on hand for spectator safety andassistance.

We invite the RI Health Department to our event for a 10 a.m. inspection of the food servicesthat weprovide prior to selling any food. They perform a thorough inspection of our equipment,cooking process,and check temperatures on the rented refrigerator and freezer trailers and normallywithout any problems, they give us the green light to proceed with cooking and sales.

Each year we have paid $4,000 to $6,000 in sales tax to the State of RI for the food sales thatour Rotary club generates. I believe we are in compliance with all state and local regulations.

What is the DBR trying to accomplish with this legislation?

How does this proposed legislation effect our Warren Rotary Club Quahog Festivaland other Rotary organization festivals (as there are many in RI). How can we be more compliant in what it is that DBR is trying to accomplish?

I know we are not a “fly by night” operation, as we have been successful for 36 years andhope to continueour event for many more years, hopefully without financial burden or over regulation.

The funds raised are used for assistance programs, scholarships, and youth education programsthroughout the Rotary yearunder the guidance of our own by-laws and Rotary International by-laws and regulations.

Sincerely,

Timothy A PrayChairpersonWarren Quahog FestivalRotary Club of Warren, RI Inc.

mailto:tapprint@tapprint.commailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.gov

P O Box 62Warren RI 02885-0062401-247-0232Fax 401-245-6270tapprint@tapprint.com

Warren Quahog FestivalThe largest East Bay Seafood FestivalSat & Sun July 20 & 21, 2019Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.Our 37th Annual Festival

mailto:tapprint@tapprint.com

From: Rocket fine street foodTo: Bannister, Jorge (DBR)Subject: [EXTERNAL] : Re: Mobile Food Establishments -- Notice of Proposed RulemakingDate: Friday, February 01, 2019 3:27:13 PM

Hello Jorge,

Thank you for the information. I'm wondering why the public hearing is scheduled atlunchtime, this is prime time for food truck business and we have a scheduled stop that day.Would the department consider moving the time to the morning or late afternoon so as to notdisrupt business for the industry which you are looking to regulate?

Regards,Patricia

Patricia Natter - Meneguzzoowner rocket fine street food860.689.5585

[twitter.com] [facebook.com] [pinterest.com] [instagram.com] [rocketstreetfood.wordpress.com]

On Thu, Jan 24, 2019 at 3:32 PM Bannister, Jorge (DBR) wrote:

Good Afternoon,

Please be advised that the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) has noticed itsproposal to adopt a new regulation entitled 230-RICR-30-35-1, “State Registrationof Mobile Food Establishments.” The Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemakingcan be viewed here: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/promulgations/part/230-30-35-1. Apublic hearing will be held on February 14, 2019, at 1pm at the Public UtilitiesCommission, in Hearing Room A on the 1st Floor. NOTE: The hearing is not atDBR. The Public Utilities Commission is located at: 89 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI02888. The comment period begins today, January 24, 2019, and will remain openuntil 11:59 pm on February 28, 2019. Please send your comments toJorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov.

Regulation Update:

• DBR is currently seeking public comment regarding proposed regulations that

mailto:rocketstreetfood@gmail.commailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.govhttps://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_rockettruck&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=VSG032Ijzcwhak_Ndbuosyu6jdp5igIT5gG_65C-WEU&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__twitter.com_rockettruck&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=VSG032Ijzcwhak_Ndbuosyu6jdp5igIT5gG_65C-WEU&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_pages_Rocket-2DFine-2DStreet-2DFood_150890664939521-3Fref-3Dhl&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=YKAfhjeBKS0hG0Puz1rx4NeLPT0-jIIyQkQx_rKPSCI&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_pages_Rocket-2DFine-2DStreet-2DFood_150890664939521-3Fref-3Dhl&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=YKAfhjeBKS0hG0Puz1rx4NeLPT0-jIIyQkQx_rKPSCI&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinterest.com_rockettruck_boards_&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=mW0M4UZkO1Y_d6yK7Dk98pyizWg9P0YplyH4bYP3xQg&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__pinterest.com_rockettruck_boards_&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=mW0M4UZkO1Y_d6yK7Dk98pyizWg9P0YplyH4bYP3xQg&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__instagram.com_rockettruck&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=TD2FvJvvIi2DaEzil8LSTe89oDxH0SkifTnE4b50Sb8&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__instagram.com_rockettruck&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=TD2FvJvvIi2DaEzil8LSTe89oDxH0SkifTnE4b50Sb8&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__rocketstreetfood.wordpress.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=r9xBPmlDS526DuZmWIM_YeTbbuNntmVsWgSc8cvlL-Q&e=https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__rocketstreetfood.wordpress.com_&d=DwMFaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=b7AT5BrwnULEwRSuWa4HNSb6VH40Tmcq536AZT4cZ5c&m=onxN0nu6Ekohp1mg1covC5gD3m0f4vWhp7vGjMeCvk8&s=r9xBPmlDS526DuZmWIM_YeTbbuNntmVsWgSc8cvlL-Q&e=mailto:Jorge.Bannister@dbr.ri.govhttps://rules.sos.ri.gov/promulgations/part/230-30-35-1mailto:Jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov

have been drafted in accordance with RIGL § 5-11.1-1 entitled, “State Mobile FoodEstablishment Registration Act”.

• The public comment period is an opportunity for all interested parties to officiallyreview and provide written comments and/or public testimony to the DBRconcerning the proposed regulations.

• Please be aware that the public comment period is a listening period for the DBRand that staff will not be able to respond to comments during this period.

• Once the public comment period has closed, DBR staff will review all writtencomments and public testimony to determine if any substantial changes or updatesneed to be made to the proposed regulation prior to final promulgation.

• Promulgated regulations will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website, as wellas the DBR website under the Division of Commercial Licensing.

Guidance for Next Steps:

Please keep in mind some of the following:

• Between January 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019, all municipal ordinance requirementswill be in full effect with respect to fee structure, specific requirements and processfor the issuance of municipal permits/licenses, including renewals.

• By July 1, 2019, the DBR expects to have a system in place to electronically acceptall requirements necessary to issue a state MFE Registration. The goal is toeliminate paper should one chose to perform the transaction electronically.

• According to the proposed regulation, municipalities will be required to acceptapplications in an electronic format, email or other system, in addition to thetraditional paper application. Therefore, instead of waiting in line at City Hall, aMFE operator who has received a state Registration can fill out the municipal

application, send in a check or pay online, and should receive a municipal permitafter review and approval by the relevant municipal authority.

• Municipalities are prohibited by the Act from requiring additional applicationrequirements for MFE municipal permits beyond proof of the state Registrationwith the DBR and payment of applicable fee.

• In an effort to not overburden businesses while regulations, fees and systems arebeing determined, the DBR has included a grace period of December 31, 2019, forthe 1st year of operation under these regulations. For those MFEs that obtain orrenew a permit or license with any municipality prior to July 1, 2019, the MFEoperator will not be required to do anything further for 2019.

• Effective January 1, 2020, all MFE’s must first obtain a state Registration from theDBR before a municipality can issue a municipal permit to the MFE.

Thank you,

Jorge Bannister

Licensing Aide

State of Rhode Island

Department of Business Regulation

Division of Commercial Licensing

1511 Pontiac Avenue, Bldg. 69-1

Cranston, R.I. 02920

Phone: (401) 462-9647

Fax: (401) 462-9645

Email: jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov

mailto:jorge.bannister@dbr.ri.gov

ONLINE PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR REVIEW                                                  Date: 03/05/2019

Regulation: 230RICR30351Title: State Registration of Mobile Food Establishments

Reviewed CommentsComment ID: 1072632Comment By: Jim McKivergan    On: 01/25/2019This comment is currently enabled for public display

Comment:Does the new regulation include Lemonade trucks (Del's)?  What about push carts?

Thanks,Jim

Reviewed by: Amy Stewart    On: 02/08/2019Comment ID: 1072633Comment By: Patrizia  Prew    On: 02/11/2019This comment is currently enabled for public display

Comment:As it stands using Warwick and Providence as examples. Both cities have annual permit renewals on May 1st.  With municipalities not permitted to charge more than $75 per year starting in July would towns that have collected fees above $75 for the year that goes all the way through April of 2020 have to refund the difference over $75?  511.18 states clearly that by July 1 municipalities must be in compliance if a fee about $75 has been paid for that time shouldn't it be refunded?

Reviewed by: Amy Stewart    On: 02/14/2019Comment ID: 1072634Comment By: Josh Burgoyne    On: 02/12/2019This comment is currently enabled for public display

Comment:1.5A.1.b. I think requiring out of state MFEs to receive RIDOH Mobile Food License is unnecessary if they have an equivalent MFE license from their state. State health depts, MA and CT included, use the federal food code as their guideline just as RI 

does and thus far MA and CT have honored RIDOH Food Licenses for RI vendors intheir respective states. RIDOH should honor MA and CT food licenses, otherwise this could lead to those states no longer honoring RI licenses and then RI food truckswho wish to travel across state lines will need 3 mobile food licenses instead of 1, all based on the same food code. 

1.5D5 Are restaurants required to keep DBR up to date on internet presence? Other registered businesses? Are food trucks being treated differently here?

1.6F1 Why a reinstatement fee of $75 assuming no evidence of unregistered activity during expiration period? 

1.7A1 Again highly unnecessary and burdensome for out of state MFE owners. Will they have to travel to RIDOH and State Fire Marshal's offices for inspection every year or will RIDOH come to them? Many may only be in RI for 1 or 2 events per year. Perhaps a provisional license could be offered where an onsite fire inspection is conducted at events for out of state MFE's. 

1.9C This seems overly punitive towards MFE owners trying their best to comply withregulations by scheduling annual fire inspections, and it could be a deterrent to scheduling fire inspections. There has been some subjectivity to the fire safety regulations imposed on food trucks, and I think that if an issue is discovered during an annual inspection, the MFE should be granted a grace period of 10 business daysto rectify the issue before the Fire Marshal imposes any fine, assuming they agree not to operate until the issue(s) are rectified. 

1.12A Restaurants who feel threatened by nearby MFEs may take advantage of this recourse. 

Reviewed by: Amy Stewart    On: 02/14/2019Comment ID: 1072635Comment By: Eric Weiner    On: 02/26/2019This comment is currently enabled for public display

Comment:I am following up on my public testimony. The new state permit will be renewed annually but many municipalities renew on a specific date.  Will these be better aligned at some point?As it stands using Warwick and Providence as examples. Both cities have annual permit renewals on May 1st.  With municipalities not permitted to charge more than $75 per year starting in July would towns that have collected fees above $75 for the year that goes all the way through April of 2020 have to refund the difference over $75?  511.18 states clearly that by July 1 municipalities must be in compliance if a fee about $75 has been paid for that time shouldn't it be refunded?

Under the current rules a number of food trucks may find themselves having to get municipal fire inspections in April or May of 2018 to complete the current renewal process, however if that truck were to apply to a new municipality in July they would need to get an additional state fire inspection.  This is a tough burden to take on.  Forthe short term the law that has a goal of alleviating multiple inspections would actually require an additional inspection during the 2018 season. Noticeably missing are any timelines.  Often when trucks apply for a municipal permitit is due to a specific upcoming opportunity, date, and time. There should be a stipulation that while cities and towns can issue a municipal permit, the MFE is permitted to operate on a provisional basis until it is approved as long as they have astate permit.  In many cases and especially in the summer it can be a 68 week period for a local council approves a permit.If an out of state MFE applies for a state permit (especially for one time visits) sometimes DOH and Fire will do inspection on site at the event.  If the case arises will DBR issue a permit pending DOH and Fire Approval. 1.9 C  will a $100 fine be incurred any time a MFE does not pass an initial inspection or will these fines be reserved for MFE that have previously been approved and have not complied.   There is concern that if during an initial inspectionit is deemed that a small change is needed to pass inspection that the MFE will be able to make those changes, pass the inspection and not be fined for a small oversight or something that is corrected right away.

Reviewed by: Amy Stewart    On: 03/05/2019

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