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Chambers County Adopts Revised Food‑service Fees as State Takes Over Some Permitting
Summary
Following passage of Senate Bill 108, Chambers County updated its retail food fee schedule; local health staff said the state will assume permitting of day‑cares, schools and eventually mobile food units (after July 1, 2026), and the court approved the fee schedule and signaled interest in MOUs with the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Chambers County public‑health staff told the commissioners court on Sept. 23 that Senate Bill 108 changes state law and will shift some food‑establishment permitting to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Public Health staff explained: "Chambers County can no longer issue food establishment permits for day cares or schools," and that the county must adopt a fee schedule aligned with the state’s permit fee schedule; local fees cannot exceed state limits. The staff also said mobile food units (food trucks) will move to state permitting after July 1, 2026 and that local inspection responsibility will change.
Commissioners asked whether the county can negotiate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the state to retain some inspection capability or recover fees. Health staff said state offices are working on rules and that the department has limited inspection capacity to cover 254 counties; an MOU or local agreement may restore some local roles but details were not settled in the meeting.
After discussion, the court approved the revised local fee schedule and directed staff to implement the procedural changes consistent with state law; the revised fees take effect 60 days after court approval as required by statute.
