ALL LETTERS MUST BE UPLOADED INTO THE ELECTRONIC PORTAL. The portal automatically sends letters to the author’s office and the committee(s) of jurisdiction. Please visit https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/advocates/ to create an account and upload the letter. If you are having difficulty accessing the portal, please contact Meg Desmond at [email protected].
In addition to submitting the letter through the portal, please send a physical copy to your Legislator(s)and email a copy to [email protected] as well as your Regional Public Affairs Manager. ***CITY LETTERHEAD***
July 12, 2022
The Honorable Lena Gonzalez
California State Senate
State Capitol Building, Room 2068
Sacramento, California 95814
RE: SENATE BILL 972 (D-33 Gonzalez): SIDEWALK FOOD VENDING – OPPOSE Dear Senator Gonzalez:
On behalf of the City of the City of Commerce, I am writing to state our opposition to your Senate Bill SB 972, a measure that will change the way street food vendors are regulated and removes restrictions on home kitchen operations. SB 972 would alter the way our city and our partners at the Los Angeles County Public Health Department regulate street food vendors and home kitchen operations by relaxing department health and safety regulations.
We understand that street food vending provides an economic ladder for small business entrepreneurs, which the City supports.
The City of Commerce adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 704 and Ordinance No. 705 which imposes regulations on Sidewalk Street and to be consistent with the State law. These ordinances reflect the City’s interest in reducing the potential danger and safety hazards to the public. Eliminating the principal requirements for food safety could potentially pose a significant public health challenge to our jurisdiction.
However, SB 972 undermines our ability to effectively carryout these responsible local laws, posing a significant public health risk concerning food safety practices, regulation enforcement, and accountability.
SB 972 is particularly concerning to the city because it would:
Reduce local health permit regulations for street food vendors and micro home kitchens, consequently undermining the collective authority of City and County agencies to implement standardized inspections and assign accountability; Eliminates key food health and safety requirements intended to keep food safe for public consumption, such as water requirements and handwashing stations; Prohibits local agencies from pursuing criminal charges for repeat violators who operate a street food cart or home kitchen operation egregiously, illegitimately, or with gross negligence; and, Increases the number of meals that can be produced per day under the definition of a “home kitchen” when sold from a mobile food cart, effectively turning residential areas in commercial business areas.
The City remains committed to finding a pathway for expanding economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but it must be achieved in a responsible manner that complies with local and State regulations to integrate health and safety, accountability, and fairness.
For these reasons, the City of Commerce opposes SB 972.
Sincerely,
Oralia Rebollo
Mayor
City of Commerce
Sincerely,
cc: Members of the Assembly Health Committee
Kristine Guerrero, League of California Cities, [email protected]