This week, the Alabama Retail Association testified in favor of continuing to even the playing field between remote sellers and the brick-and-mortar retailers in our state when it comes to sales tax rates.
“There is still a disparity,” ARA President Rick Brown told the House education budget committee while speaking in support of HB258. “We’d like to close that.”
The legislation initially would add 1.5% to the flat 8% rate remote sellers collect. The committee has not yet voted on the bill, which is tied to a proposed outdoor sales tax holiday.
Meanwhile, the state’s general operating budget received committee approval and the education budget was discussed in the seventh week of the 2024 regular session. The House sent gambling legislation to a conference committee, but the Senate didn’t appoint its conferees.
The Alabama House and Senate will convene at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, for the 20th legislative day of the 30-day regular session.
For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.
THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS
Alabama Retail: Bringing remote sellers’ tax rate closer to rate collected by local stores’ is ‘fair’ (alabamaretail.org)
Bill repealing small corporations annual report requirement one step from final OK (alabamaretail.org)
Proposed increases in civil and criminal penalties for violating child labor laws sent to subcommittee; expected back before full committee next week (alabamaretail.org)
Future economic incentives could be withheld for voluntarily recognizing unions under committee approved bill (alabamaretail.org)
‘Supermajority’ of workers at Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Tuscaloosa County have signed union cards (al.com)
House moves gambling bill to conference committee but Senate takes no action (aldailynews.com)
Starting June 1, pharmacy board can set the ratio of technicians to compounding pharmacists (alabamaretail.org)
Senator introduces employer childcare tax credits (alabamaretail.org)
House OKs eliminating school permission form for 14- and 15-year-olds to work; schools still can report truancy or failing grades to Labor Dept. (alabamaretail.org)
‘Adventure’ sales tax holiday undergoing changes; no vote taken this week (alabamaretail.org)
Senate committee approves General Fund, supplemental bills with more prison funding (aldailynews.com)
Alabama to consider $11 billion education budget, 2% teacher raises (al.com)
Energy choice legislation for appliances awaits governor’s signature to become law (alabamaretail.org)
Lawmaker proposes aligning overtime hours eligible for income tax exemption to Fair Labor Standards Act (alabamaretail.org)
Alabama Artificial Intelligence Task Force sets to work (alabamareflector.com)
ECONOMY
National retail economy remains ‘sturdy’ despite forecast for slower growth (nrf.com)
Alabama’s February 5.4% growth in total sales tax collections added to our 2024 retail sales outlook (alabamaretail.org)
Oct. 1 deadline for new economic development strategy; ‘doable’ new Commerce Secretary says (al.com)
Cullman’s Dixie Duds and Décor celebrates grand re-opening (cullmantribune.com)
FEDERAL
U.S. Department of Labor issues final rule to clarify rights to employee representation during OSHA inspections (osha.gov)
OSHA opens your doors to union reps (lehrmiddlebrooks.com)
ELECTIONS
Democrat Marilyn Lands’ District 10 Alabama House victory significant, hard to replicate (aldailynews.com)
ARA’s Legislative Committee roster updated with newest state lawmaker and her committee assignments (alabamaretail.org)
Ross, Miller going to runoff in special HD27 election (aldailynews.com)
Previous Alabama Retail Reports
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