SB-276
Justice & Public Safety

City and County of San Francisco: merchandising sales.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
3
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes San Francisco to require permits for selling merchandise on public property to combat retail theft.
  • Creates a non-police permitting agency to issue permits and verify merchandise was obtained legally.
  • Establishes graduated penalties from warnings to possible jail time for selling without a permit.
  • Caps permit fees at $25 for low-income vendors and prohibits collecting immigration status information.

Summary

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.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB276 Wiener et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-925
City and County of San Francisco: merchandising sales.
January 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Scott Wiener
Scott WienerD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member
Matt Haney
Matt HaneyD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 27, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes San Francisco to require permits for selling merchandise on public property to combat retail theft.
  • Creates a non-police permitting agency to issue permits and verify merchandise was obtained legally.
  • Establishes graduated penalties from warnings to possible jail time for selling without a permit.
  • Caps permit fees at $25 for low-income vendors and prohibits collecting immigration status information.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Scott Wiener
Scott WienerD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member
Matt Haney
Matt HaneyD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

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.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 447
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB276 Wiener et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Local Government Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Local Government Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

May 27, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Contacts

Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 11 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Scott WienerD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
James RamosD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan CarrilloD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-925
City and County of San Francisco: merchandising sales.
January 2024
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1