A bill to protect sidewalk vendors and food operators in Mendocino County — and across California — from having their personal data shared with law enforcement has been signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Senate Bill 635, coined the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, was signed into law earlier this month by Newsom and was authored by state Sen. María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles. The new policy broadens privacy protections for street vendors by limiting how local governments and agencies can collect and use their personal information.
The bill will limit cities, counties, law enforcement agencies and their private contractors from sharing personal information about sidewalk vendors without a subpoena or judicial warrant. Personal information covered under the bill includes names, business and home addresses, birthdates, driver’s license numbers, and other identifying details.
Adrian Mata, owner of El Mitote Café, a hot pink coffee truck on South State Street in Ukiah, said the new legislation could help immigrant-owned businesses continue operating without fear that their personal information could be shared with law enforcement.
“While maintaining county health requirements, it also protects something deeper — the right to express culture and identity through food, regardless of citizenship status,” Mata said in an interview. “As a U.S.-born Latino business owner and street vendor, I’ve seen how hardworking and passionate this community is. Many of us start before sunrise and stay out long after sunset, all for the joy of sharing our culture through our food. Some of America’s most iconic dishes, from pizza to the California burrito, were born from immigrant creativity. This bill allows vendors to focus on their craft and stories rather than more obstacles and fears.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has increased arrests of street vendors throughout the state, and these cases have raised concerns about privacy and data collection. If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are conducting raids, they can access personal information about immigrants from local government agencies. But under the new bill, immigrants will have more protection.
“Street vendors are a cornerstone of our communities and contribute significantly to California’s vibrant culture and economy,” Durazo said in a press release. “SB 635 ensures that these hardworking entrepreneurs can operate their businesses without fear that their personal information will be turned over to immigration authorities. This law affirms California’s commitment to protect immigrant families, support small business owners, and ensure that our limited state and local resources are not used for federal immigration enforcement.”
The bill will also prohibit local agencies from collecting personal information related to a person’s immigration status, place of birth or criminal history when issuing business or vending permits. It prohibits those agencies from requiring fingerprints or background checks when street vendors apply for permits.
The bill also requires health enforcement agencies, such as county health departments, to accept alternative forms of identification, including an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or municipal ID, in place of a Social Security number.
SB 635 takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Local agencies that possess information restricted under the new law must destroy those records by March 1, 2026.
I’m not quite sure even after reading this article what kind of personal information was given away? Name driver’s license number age Etc? You mean the same kind of stuff they take from people that are pulled over or DUI? Are these vendors legally in the United States? If they are then I understand that they might have a complaint but if they’re not I believe that their information would be able to be spread across the United States. If they’re legally here that’s great only certain information should be shared.
I remember a restaurant owner in Anderson Valley tell me they had a government health inspection and it was very picky. The next day a street vendor went down main street leaking cooking crease right down the center of the road. Had no concerns about the health department. So the article makes it look like the vendors who don’t have a social security number might not have to worry about Federal taxes either. Or liability insurance. Or property taxes. Life’s Good when you are an illegal in California. You are a preferred resident over the citizens.
“The bill will also prohibit local agencies from collecting personal information related to a person’s immigration status, place of birth or criminal history when issuing business or vending permits. It prohibits those agencies from requiring fingerprints or background checks when street vendors apply for permits.”
Newscum wants as many illegals in our state as he can get, so he can get their vote. That’s the democrap plan.
Just to let you viewer’s know, I did purchase a snowcone at hector’s snowcone stop about 4 years ago when it was one of those 100 degree days. Needless to say I went home with a dry mouth after seeing a 5 gallon bucket full of feces and urine next to the trailer door.
Cornerstone of our communities?? They will not be properly monitored by the heath department and mostly they compete with permitted vendors that pay rent for their operation. When do the legal citizens get to vote on issues such as this? Talk about Kings!