As promised, the governor this morning signed into law three top legislative priorities for the 2021 session – COVID liability protection, exemption of coronavirus relief payments from state income tax and renewal of industrial recruitment incentives.
“We remain committed to helping Alabamians and Alabama businesses get back on their feet and our state moving forward,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “These three bills, without question, were necessary to address up front.”
Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown said, “Our association and its 4,300 members applauds the broad bipartisan support for shielding Alabama businesses and healthcare providers from unwarranted lawsuits related to the pandemic. We especially want to thank the governor, Sen. Arthur Orr and Rep. David Faulkner for their leadership.”
The Legislature, which has completed six of the 30 legislative days for a regular session, will take a break next week to assess the COVID-19 protocols used during the first two weeks of the session.
Your Alabama Retail Association will keep you informed throughout the session as issues of interest to retailers arise. Keep reading for this week’s top stories.
For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.
THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS
COVID liability protection for businesses now law (alabamaretail.org)
COVID relief benefits are Alabama income tax free (alabamaretail.org)
Direct wine shipment bill headed to Senate (alabamaretail.org)
Senate-passed home delivery of sealed beer, wine & liquor could soon be back before a House panel that OK’d an identical bill (alabamaretail.org)
Economic development incentives extended, expanded (alabamaretail.org)
Grocery workers continue to be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines; state considering change in close-contact quarantine for vaccinated individuals (alabamaretail.org)
Senate could consider lottery, casino in final week of February | Senate debates bill briefly before taking a week break – SB214 (aldailynews.com)
Legislation seeks to change process for emergency declarations, contact tracing and vaccination mandates (alabamaretail.org)
Senate bill seeks to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (alabamaretail.org)
Senate OKs small fireworks bill; Mobile and Birmingham can ban the sale if they choose (alabamaretail.org)
Your 2021 Legislative Roster is ready to be downloaded and printed out (alabamaretail.org)
Regularly check our COVID-19 Resources page at www.alabamaretail.org
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