Both Congress and the Alabama Legislature were in session this week. Congress tackled the next coronavirus relief package, while the Alabama Legislature concentrated mostly on agency, veteran and board reauthorization bills. The Alabama Senate didn’t resume debate on lottery/gaming legislation, but did approve a medical marijuana bill.
After taking last week off to assess how well it is working amid pandemic protocols, the Alabama Legislature worked for three legislative days this week, just as it did in the first two weeks of the session.
The Legislature has completed nine of the 30 legislative days allotted for the regular session, slated to end by May 17. Keep reading for this week’s top stories of interest to retailers.
For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.
THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS
U.S. House approves COVID relief with minimum wage increase; Senate can’t include minimum wage in relief bill, parliamentarian rules (alabamaretail.org)
Those with 20 or fewer employees and sole proprietorships have exclusive access to apply for PPP loans through March 10 (sba.gov); More on our COVID-19 Resources page (alabamaretail.org)
Nine CVS stores in high-risk, rural areas offering COVID vaccines under federal program (alabamaretail.org)
Home delivery of sealed beer, wine & liquor ready for full House; House adds brewpubs, distilleries to the bill (alabamaretail.org)
Senate OKs medical marijuana; House plans to move slow on the bill – SB46 (aldailynews.com and montgomeryadvertiser.com)
Bills would mandate employers make accommodations for breast feeding and pregnancy conditions (alabamaretail.org)
House votes to allow pet dogs at outdoor dining areas; Panel votes to require posting of low health scores on drive-thru menus (alabamaretail.org)
House panel OKs sale of small fireworks in retail stores; Senate-passed bill ready for House consideration (alabamaretail.org)
In Committee: Pharmacy licensing, determining worker eligibility for benefits and regulating nicotine (alabamaretail.org)
Introductions: Mandates for offering free products or trials and phasing out state sales tax on food (alabamaretail.org)
One week left to nominate Retailers of the Year/Centennial Retailers (alabamaretail.org)
Regularly check our COVID-19 Resources page at www.alabamaretail.org
Previous Alabama Retail Reports
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