Retail Report: Legislature hits halfway mark; or is it 2/3rds?

If this was a normal legislative session, lawmakers hit the halfway point on Tuesday.

It appears, though, that Alabama’s legislators are sticking to their plan to fund state government and leave Montgomery early so they can begin campaigning in earnest for the June primaries. Both budgets have passed at least one chamber and payraises for both teachers and state employees are moving. If lawmakers adjourn the session by the end of March, they are two-thirds done.

Legislation is moving at a brisk pace with little slowdown. This week, the Senate approved data breach notification for Alabama; compromise legislation on challenges to commercial property valuation is ready for House consideration; and the governor signed into law a modernization of Alabama’s Drug Monitoring Program.

Keep reading for more on these and other issues that may relate to your business.

For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.


THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS

Alabama Senate approves data security bill (alabamaretail.org)

Starting March 1, 2019, if state posts wrong local tax rate, you won’t be liable (alabamaretail.org)

Drug monitoring update takes effect June 1; Outsourcing permits effective in May (alabamaretail.org)

Panel OKs lottery by one vote; Overall passage odds ‘slim to none’ (montgomeryadvertiser.com)

U.S. Supreme Court to hear online tax case April 17 (bna.com)

Legislation would repeal abandoned regional care organizations for Medicaid (alabamaretail.org)

Direct consumer petitions for sales tax refunds on governor’s desk (alabamaretail.org)

Compromise commercial property valuation bill ready for House (alabamaretail.org)

Senate OKs bill allowing infused liquor (alabamaretail.org)

Panel narrowly approves direct wine shipment bill (alabamaretail.org)

Brewery tastings part of entertainment districts and Sunday sales (alabamaretail.org)

Sunday sales for Childersburg, Union Springs, Clio, Louisville on way to becoming law; plus status of other local alcohol bills (alabamaretail.org)

Holtzclaw closing the lid on the ABC’s liquor markup (al.com)

Senate next to consider ending ‘traveling through’ business licenses (alabamaretail.org)

Supreme Court case seeks disclosure of credit card fees (foxnews.com)

Moore wins GOP runoff for Alabama House (decaturdaily.com)

Senate approves 3 percent state employee pay raise (montgomeryadvertiser.com)


Previous Alabama Retail Reports


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