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Consumer small loans are typically <br />predatory in nature. According to Debt.org, <br />an organization dedicated to helping <br />consumers understand and overcome debt, <br />predatory lenders typically target minorities, <br />the poor, the elderly and the less educated. <br />They also prey on people who need <br />immediate cash for emergencies such as <br />paying medical bills, making a home repair <br />or car payment. These lenders also target <br />borrowers that do not qualify for <br />conventional loans or lines of credit due to <br />credit problems or unemployment. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities seeks statewide legislation that <br />would protect consumer small loan <br />borrowers against predatory lending <br />practices. Also, cities should have explicit <br />authority to regulate consumer small loan <br />conditions including the ability to cap <br />finance charges and interest rates. <br />SD-60. Regulation of Mobile <br />Businesses <br />Issue: The transient nature of mobile <br />businesses presents unique challenges to <br />traditional city zoning and permitting and <br />may create an unfair competitive advantage <br />over traditional businesses that pay property <br />taxes and generate income for a city. Cities <br />also make significant investments in the <br />development of retail districts and <br />downtowns and have a strong interest in <br />maintaining a level playing field for brick <br />and mortar establishments. <br />Minnesota has seen a sharp increase in the <br />number of food trucks (Mobile Food Units) <br />operating throughout the state. Food trucks <br />are licensed as food and beverage service <br />establishments by the Minnesota <br />Department of Health (MDH) or by local <br />jurisdictions pursuant to an MDH delegation <br />agreement. Food trucks are prohibited from <br />operating in the same location for more than <br />51 <br />21 days without approval of the regulatory <br />authority. <br />In 2015, the Legislature authorized the <br />Board of Cosmetologist Examiners to adopt <br />rules governing the licensure, operation and <br />inspection of "Mobile Salons" which are <br />operated in a mobile vehicle or mobile <br />structure for exclusive use to offer personal <br />services defined in Minn. Stat. § 155A.23, <br />subd. 3. The rules must prohibit mobile <br />salons from violating reasonable municipal <br />restrictions on time and place of operation of <br />a mobile salon within its jurisdiction, and <br />shall establish penalties, up to and including <br />revocation of a license, for repeated <br />violations of municipal laws. <br />Response: It is appropriate for mobile <br />businesses to be licensed by the state or its <br />designees in the same manner as non - <br />mobile business establishments. Such <br />state regulation must not preempt the <br />ability of local governments to enact <br />reasonable time and place restrictions on <br />the operation of mobile businesses within <br />their jurisdictions. <br />SD-61. Regulation of Party Buses <br />and Boats -for -Hire <br />Issue: A party bus (also known as a party <br />ride, limo bus, limousine bus, party van, or <br />luxury bus) is a large motor vehicle usually <br />derived from a conventional (school) bus or <br />coach, but modified and designed to carry 8 <br />or more people for recreational purposes. In <br />Minnesota, these vehicles are regulated by <br />default under Minn. Stat. ch. 221 (the <br />chapter of law dealing with motor carriers) <br />and registered by the Minnesota Dept. of <br />Transportation's (MnDOT's) Office of <br />Freight and Commercial Vehicle <br />Operations. The regulations require <br />operators to carry commercial insurance, <br />have an annual vehicle inspection and be <br />registered with the state. Party bus drivers <br />