City and County of San Francisco: merchandising sales.

Senator Wiener's proposal to regulate sidewalk vending in San Francisco through a new permitting system aims to address the resale of stolen merchandise while maintaining opportunities for legitimate vendors. The legislation authorizes San Francisco to require permits for selling specified merchandise on public property, provided the city can demonstrate evidence of stolen goods appearing for resale on city streets.

The bill establishes a dedicated permitting agency, separate from law enforcement, to oversee the program. Vendors must prove lawful acquisition of their merchandise to obtain permits. Violations follow an escalating penalty structure - written warnings for first offenses, infractions for second and third violations, and potential misdemeanors with jail time or fines for subsequent offenses. The ordinance exempts prepared food items and accompanying packaged snacks or beverages from permit requirements.

Before implementing any ordinance, San Francisco must conduct vendor community workshops and a multilingual public information campaign. The city may charge permit fees to cover administrative costs, capped at $25 for low-income applicants and public assistance recipients. The permitting agency must accept alternative forms of identification beyond social security numbers and cannot inquire about immigration status or criminal history. Annual reports to the Board of Supervisors and Legislature must detail permit issuance, enforcement actions, and demographic data on citations. The provisions would sunset in 2031 unless renewed.