Mayor of San Francisco proposes reforms to eliminate and reduce municipal fines and fees affecting low-income residents

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The City’s proposed elimination or reduction of numerous municipal fines and fees aims to specifically help San Francisco residents on low incomes and communities of color, as many of these fines have a disproportionate and adverse impact on them.

The Mayor’s Budget Office and the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector’s Financial Justice Project identified fines and fees that may be “high pain” for low-income people and families, and identified a series of reforms that will make a difference for those struggling to pay them.

The two offices developed recommendations for reform after conducting a review of municipal fines and fees in advance of Mayor Breed’s proposed budget for FY 2021-2022.

Mayor London N. Breed said via statement,

Fines and fees impact all of us differently, and for some people a single fee can have a dramatic impact that can make it hard to put food on the table or pay their rent. We know that now is the time to be investing in people who are struggling to get back on their feet as we all do the work to lift this City out of this pandemic. We have made significant progress over the last few years to make meaningful change on fines and fees, and we will continue to make more changes over the coming year.

Indeed, the proposed reforms to fines and fees are part of the Mayor’s efforts to ensure that San Francisco has an equitable recovery, and the next step in a multi-year process to reform the burdensome system of fines and fees that has included eliminating criminal justice fees, making jail phone calls free, and eliminating overdue library fines.

Treasurer Jose Cisneros commented,

Someone should not face a bigger consequence because their bank account is smaller. And we should not balance our budget on the backs of people who can least afford it. I’m proud of this work.

The Mayor’s FY 2021-2022 budget proposes the elimination of the following fees:

The Street Artist License Fee ($849), which paradoxically has been paid by artists on low-income, immigrants, and/or aging gives them permission to sell their art in designated spaces, by eliminating it, the City hopes for stronger participation in “the San Francisco Arts Commission program, help expand diverse, vibrant, revenue-generating marketplaces for artists, and attract local and tourism dollars for handmade creations”.

Medical Examiner fees such as proof of death letter ($10), statement of non-contagion ($10), disaster bag ($67), removal of remains ($632), and cremation ($1,196).

These fees proposed for elimination are mainly charged to family and friends of deceased, and usually for deceased people who were homeless or very low-income crime victims.

Fees associated with City ID cards ($6 for youth and $18 for adults) that are usually paid by undocumented and low-income individuals and “can be barriers to obtaining this form of identification”.

Animal Care and Control fees such as owner surrender of animal ($33) and dog license late fees ($32).

The city has also confirmed that over the coming year the Department of Public Health, the Fire Department and the Recreations and Parks Department will develop or enhance fine and fee discounts for people on a low-income based on their ability to pay,

The Department of Public Health will create an “equity applicant” category for fees such as those associated with mobile and temporary food facilities, as well as massage and tattoo parlors.

The Fire Department will work towards expanding its existing ambulance fee financial hardship process for low-income San Franciscans.

The Recreation and Parks Department will expand its outreach to ensure maximum participation in its scholarship program, making it easier for families to participate in summer camps, afterschool programs, swimming lessons, art, health and wellness, sports, and other recreational activities.

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