At 10 this morning, the state and the city of Montgomery announced that a city resident has tested positive for the coronavirus. The cities of Montgomery and Pike Road have canceled all city-sponsored events. The state is asking all state residents to practice social distancing of at least six feet and to avoid public gatherings of 500 people or more. Alabama is now among 43 states with confirmed coronavirus cases.
Before recessing for its spring break, the Alabama Legislature on Thursday appropriated $5 million to the Alabama Department of Public Health for “coronavirus response activities.” Meanwhile, the federal government awarded $8.15 million to our state through the Centers for Disease Control to aid in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 – the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
If you are reading this report, you should have received an email Thursday from the Alabama Retail Association’s employment law partner offering guidance for employers on managing this global pandemic in the workplace. Your association will continue to provide health and employment law updates in the coming weeks through direct email communications, the coronavirus resource landing page on our website and posts on our social media platforms.
Keep reading for this week’s top stories on legislative issues of interest to retailers.
For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.
THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS
Private auditors banned from charging taxpayers for audit costs (alabamaretail.org)
Delivery service license for home delivery of beer and wine on House calendar for March 26 (alabamaretail.org)
Bill approved by a Senate panel ties E-Verify participation to business privilege tax returns (alabamaretail.org)
Public hearing, no vote on reducing the federal income taxes paid deduction and ending state sales tax on food (alabamaretail.org)
House direct wine sales legislation receives committee OK; Senate panel conducts hearing on the issue (alabamaretail.org)
Anti-pyramid scheme legislation ready for consideration by either chamber (alabamaretail.org)
House to consider bill requiring posting low health scores on drive-through menus; Companion bill introduced to allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas (alabamaretail.org)
Alabama Senate approves medical marijuana bill (montgomeryadvertiser.com)
Lottery, gambling compact bills introduced in State House (aldailynews.com)
Food truck alcohol sales proposed for Birmingham; Senate next to consider drive-thru alcohol bill; and Jackson County development districts (alabamaretail.org)
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