Food trucks and lunch wagons would have two hours to operate at one location on a street before being required to move, under a proposal in the City Council that aims to ease a law that made it difficult for some vendors to operate legally.

Bill 59 (11) was introduced in the Council on Wednesday and referred to committee for further action.

City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard crafted the measure on behalf of mobile food vendors who say the Honolulu Police Department has been cracking down on them in recent months, issuing a few citations and a slew of warnings. The law says vendors and peddlers can operate for no more than 15 minutes in one spot on a street or public highway.

The new proposal would increase to two hours the duration a vendor is allowed to sell food or merchandise, and stipulates that vendors may not create a hazardous condition or public nuisance.

"It’s a simple solution to a problem that was created by an outdated law," Gabbard said.

The law is believed to have been designed to address concerns about T-shirt and souvenir vendors in popular tourist spots.

A handful of food truck owners testified in favor of the measure.

"Adoption of the changes in this bill sends the message that the city and county of Honolulu encourages small business," said R.C. Anderson, operator of the Cafe Truck.

Kathy Sills, who operates the Aloha Ice Cream Tricycle, said much of the money she has made in her small business has had to go to fines and court costs.

"I was cited and deemed a criminal," Sills said. "I think it’s a little overkill."

She said an update of the law is needed to recognize the business climate that has led to a proliferation of food trucks and lunch wagons.

"It’s just realizing that this is 2012," Sills said. "It’s about small business. It’s about being creative and it’s about survival."