Bill > SB276

This bill authorizes the City and County of San Francisco to adopt a permit system for selling merchandise on public property, specifically targeting the sale of goods believed to be obtained through retail theft. The bill allows San Francisco to require vendors to obtain a permit for selling certain merchandise, but only after meeting several strict prerequisites, including demonstrating a significant pattern of retail theft and attempting multiple non-law enforcement measures to address the issue. The permit system must be administered by a local agency separate from the police department, with clear rules for issuing permits to individuals who can prove they obtained merchandise legally. Violations of the permit requirements would be progressively punished, starting with a warning, then infractions for second and third violations, and potentially misdemeanors for subsequent violations. The bill includes important protections for vendors, such as prohibiting inquiries into immigration status, limiting permit fees for low-income individuals, and accepting alternative forms of identification. The ordinance would be subject to annual review and would require comprehensive reporting to the Board of Supervisors and Legislature, including detailed information about permit issuance, enforcement actions, and demographic data. The permit system would be temporary, set to expire on January 1, 2031, and is specifically designed to address what the Legislature sees as unique challenges in San Francisco regarding retail theft and the resale of stolen goods.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB276