Senate Bill S6957

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S6957

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to imposing
restrictions on vending like goods and services

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of this bill amends the general business law by adding a new
section 38-a to place restrictions on vending like goods and services.
Subdivision 1 defines the terms "Like goods and services," "Food," and
"Vendor." Subdivision 2 states that notwithstanding the provisions of
sections thirty-two and thirty-five-a of this article, every person
who vends goods to retail trade on public streets shall be a minimum
of one hundred feet away from the edge of the property of a place of
business which sells retail trade, like goods, food and produce which
the street vendor is offering for sale.

Section 3 of this bill states that this act shall take effect
immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Supermarkets have long served as vital centerpieces of neighborhood
stability by providing services, employment, and tax revenues. In
              

addition to providing a wide array of consumer products, supermarkets
also attract smaller businesses to the area. They frequently
participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
and the special nutritional assistance program for Women Infants and
Children (WIC), which many individuals and families depend on. New
York State residents cannot afford to lose access to these services.

And yet, supermarkets are disappearing from metro areas at an alarming
rate. This loss is in part due to the increasing number of street
vendors, who often sit directly in front of traditional supermarkets
and sell similar goods. Brick and mortar stores cannot compete with
the unregulated and untaxed street vendors, who have a competitive
advantage. Supermarket closures also cost the state tax revenue.

This bill would ensure that cities preserve decent paying jobs, a
strong tax base, and access to essential and affordable consumer
products by restricting street vendors from selling like goods and
services within 100 feet of the place of business selling the same.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.