Law Would Crack Down on Soliciting, Panhandling

(POCATELLO, ID) – The Pocatello city council is considering an ordinance that would require door-to-door solicitors and panhandlers to pay a hefty registration fee.  Officials say the law would require businesses to put down $1,000 on a sales license with a $100 fee for each additional salesperson. The individual fee would go toward criminal background checks. Current laws allow companies to pay $25 for a sales license with no background checks. Mayor Brian Blad is also calling for tougher restrictions on peddlers and panhandlers. The law would not apply to non-profit groups, such as the Girl Scouts or school fundraisers.