Legislation

Alabama Retail Report: The Legislature’s First Week

Alabama Retail Report: The Legislature’s First Week

The Alabama Legislature gaveled in its 2017 regular session Tuesday with such weighty issues as prison reform, redistricting and finding money for Medicaid needing attention. More than 350 bills have been introduced so far, including ones calling on retailers to have…

Your 2016 Capitol Retail Report Regular Session Wrapup

Your 2016 Capitol Retail Report Regular Session Wrapup

The Alabama Legislature completed its 2016 regular session with two state budgets but no agreement on how to fully fund Medicaid or pay for needed prisons. A summary of the Alabama Legislature’s 2016 regular session, can be found in the Capitol Retail Report…

Stop For-Profit Auditors from Abusing Businesses

Stop For-Profit Auditors from Abusing Businesses

The Alabama Retail Association and other groups have received hundreds of complaints from business owners concerning abuse by for-profit auditing firms. Your association has shared those stories with legislators, but what resonates most is hearing directly from business owners. “Please…

Governor signs law preempting mandated local wages and benefits

Governor signs law preempting mandated local wages and benefits

Shortly before 4 p.m., Gov. Robert Bentley signed a law preempting Birmingham’s $10.10 minimum wage ordinance as well as other similar local ordinances in the future. The Alabama Senate voted 23-11 today for HB174, sending it to the governor. The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday, Feb….

Temporary Roster Available Online for 2016 Alabama Legislature

Temporary Roster Available Online for 2016 Alabama Legislature

The Alabama Legislature began its 2016 regular session Tuesday, Feb. 2. The Legislature made committee, rooming and phone changes right up to the session’s start and has more committee changes planned. The Alabama Retail Association each year prints a legislative…

Alabama Legislature basics for 2016: Q&A with ARA’s VP

Alabama Legislature basics for 2016: Q&A with ARA’s VP

When does the Alabama Legislature meet in 2016? Alabama lawmakers went into session Tuesday, Feb. 2.  They must meet no more than 30 legislative days (days when the Legislature is in formal session.  This does not include days when there are…