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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection testimony on street vending legislation
0:28:52
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Carlos Ortiz, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs at the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, provided testimony on street vending issues and proposed legislation. He outlined the current state of general vendor licensing and the department's stance on Intro 431, which would increase the number of vending licenses and eventually remove the cap.
- The department supports expanding the number of street vending licenses to increase regulation and compliance.
- However, they oppose lifting the cap entirely due to quality of life concerns for New Yorkers.
- The department expressed willingness to engage in the legislative process with the council and stakeholders to balance the needs of street vendors and brick-and-mortar establishments.
Carlos Ortiz
0:28:52
more good morning, chairman and and members of the committee, public advocate Williams.
0:28:56
I'm Carlos Ortiz, deputy commissioner of external affairs at the department of consumer and worker protection.
0:29:02
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on issues related to street vending.
0:29:06
The department of consumer and worker protection issues general vendor licenses to those who sell goods or services in a public place such as the street or sidewalk.
0:29:13
There are currently approximately 1,900 licensed general vendors.
0:29:17
The number of licenses issued to non veteran general vendors is capped at 853 licenses and the waiting list for non veteran applicants is currently closed.
0:29:26
License applications for general vendors are available to veterans or the surviving spouses or domestic partners of a veteran.
0:29:32
Introduction 04/31 would increase the number of food vendor supervisory licenses and general vendor licenses available each year for five years and thereafter would remove the cap on food vendor supervisory licenses and general vendor licenses.
0:29:45
The administration supports reducing regulatory barriers on businesses, including expanding the total number of street vending licenses to bring more street vendors into regulation and compliance.
0:29:55
However, the administration is opposed to lifting the cap entirely on street vendor licenses due to concerns about the impact on the quality of life for everyday New Yorkers.
0:30:04
We look forward to engaging in the legislative process with the council and stakeholders here today to join this conversation on examining licensed caps and understanding how the city can better support street vendors, our smallest small businesses, while balancing the needs of brick and mortar establishments.
0:30:17
Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the committee on these issues.