A bill that would loosen restrictions on street vending has taken a major step forward in the D.C. Council Tuesday, as it was voted to advance.

The bill titled the  Street Vendor Advancement Amendment Act of 2023 would decriminalize vending without a license, establish vending zones starting with one pilot area in Columbia Heights, and waive unpaid civil citations related to licenses. It’s a combination of two previous bills that were reintroduced this year by D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, a longtime supporter of street vendors.

“Through this legislation, we can move all vendors into full compliance, allow them to successfully run their businesses and provide for their families, and to operate without unnecessary barriers and without fear. And support and lift up the vibrancy of our community and community members,” said Nadeau in a statement.

While the bill still needs to pass a second council vote before it can move on to Mayor Bowser’s desk, it’s now closer to becoming law than the previous iterations. And after years of pushing for decriminalization, street vendors and their advocates are celebrating the bill’s advancement – including Ana Lemus. In 2019, her daughter was pushed to the ground during a confrontation with a police officer for allegedly selling goods without a license in Columbia Heights.

“This change in the law is, for me, to obtain justice for what happened,” said Lemus after the vote at the John A. Wilson Building. “And for many of the wounded hearts in DC who the police do not allow to sell, and confiscate their goods. For me, this is a big triumph and I thank God.”

The move comes after years of organizing among Vendedores Unidos and the Beloved Community Incubator, two groups that have been pushing council members to advance legislation in favor of street vendors. Their recent campaigns have included pop-ups to showcase what vending zones could look like on sidewalks, and phone banking events to voice their support of the most recent bill to elected officials.

Alba Martinez, who was working the phone bank the night before the first council vote, says the cause is worth the community’s support and that it has motivated her to consider becoming a vendor herself if it’s enacted.

“That’s why I’ve been united with the cause – to support them so they can sell peacefully,” says Martinez. “But maybe one day I can get my own business too.”

For Antonia Diaz, the component of the bill that would waive unpaid civil citations could change her livelihood. She says she hasn’t been able to sell food since 2019 when she received a fine of approximately $3,000 over a food truck licensing issue.

“I can’t work right now, so where am I going to get the money?” said Diaz. “For me and for others, I think [the bill] will be a blessing.”

Under the legislation, the cost of licenses would be reduced from over $1000, with basic vending licenses costing $99 and renewable every two years. Permits for sidewalk vending would cost about $75.

If enacted into law, the bill would put D.C. among New York and Los Angeles as the third major U.S. city to overhaul its street vendor licensing regulations.