In a surprise May 8 decision and a clear case of judicial overreach, a Jefferson County circuit judge declared Alabama’s workers’ compensation law unconstitutional based on two provisions of the law. The judge initially stayed the ruling for 120 days…
As of Aug. 1, members of a limited liability company can exempt themselves from Alabama Workers’ Compensation Act coverage. Corporate officers already have that option. Act No. 2017-390 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, also removes the requirement that written notification be…
The Alabama Legislature in its 2017 regular session revised pharmacy operating practices under the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. Act No. 2017-422 clarifies that a pharmacist is a health care provider, sets qualifications for a laboratory, increases some maximum pharmacy…
Starting Aug. 1, tobacco, beer and wine wholesalers/distributors must report sales on which no taxes are collected. That requirement also includes wholesale or warehouse clubs that sell tobacco products under a membership. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Wholesale to Retail…
Alabama law now clarifies the definition of the employment relationship. Act No. 2017-391, the Franchise Business Protection Act (HB390), by Rep. Jim Carns, R-Birmingham, ensures that state enforcement agencies and state courts do not adopt the joint-employer standard adopted by the National…
SB316, the Alabama Retail Association-backed delivery license reform legislation, is on the House of Representative’s calendar for Tuesday, May 16. It sets an annual threshold of $10,000 in deliveries before a $100 delivery license is required. If you’ve talked with or…
Proposed state and county gasoline tax increases for road improvements failed to make it through the legislative process in the 2017 Alabama Legislature regular session. Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, said it would be at least 2019 before a statewide…
Legislation that would have allowed counties to ask voters to raise gasoline taxes in their county by as much as 5 cents for specific local road projects never received floor debate in the 2017 regular session. At the session’s end, SB386…
Limited refunds of a 15-cent increase in a provider tax that pharmacies paid between Sept. 1, 2015, and June 17, 2016, would be possible under SB416 by Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman. The Alabama Senate approved the bill on a unanimous…
For Jennifer and Patrick Cooper, owners of five Gigi’s Cupcakes locations, business has never been sweeter. In February, the husband and wife team opened their newest location at 3794 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika. It’s the only franchise location in the…