City and County of San Francisco: merchandising sales.

Senator Wiener's legislation authorizes San Francisco to establish a permit system for public property merchandise sales through 2034, responding to patterns of retail theft and subsequent resale of stolen goods. The proposed ordinance would require vendors to demonstrate lawful acquisition of merchandise, with permits administered by a designated local agency separate from the police department.

The measure establishes a graduated enforcement approach, beginning with written warnings for initial violations before progressing to infractions and potential misdemeanors for subsequent offenses. Permit fees would be capped at actual administrative costs, with a $25 maximum for qualifying low-income applicants and public assistance recipients. The permitting agency must accept alternative forms of identification beyond social security numbers while maintaining confidentiality of applicant information.

Prior to implementing any ordinance, San Francisco must conduct community workshops and a multilingual public information campaign. The city would submit annual reports to local supervisors and state legislators detailing permit issuance, enforcement actions, and demographic data on citations. These provisions aim to balance vendor oversight with protections for privacy and civil rights, while excluding prepared food sales from permit requirements.