RETAIL REPORT: Cash Mandate Dead; Lawmakers in Districts

In the fifth week of the 2024 regular session, Alabama’s lawmakers passed a pared-down gambling bill and the governor signed into law IVF immunity and school choice laws. The Alabama Retail Association thanks the House Commerce panel for rejecting legislation that would have required businesses to accept cash.

Because the Legislature met for three days each week so far, as opposed to the traditional two legislative days per week, half of the session is complete.

Next week, the Alabama Legislature will take a week away from Montgomery to meet with constituents in their districts. The Legislature will next meet March 19 for the 16th legislative day of the 30-day regular session. Lawmakers are expected to have a regular two-day week, then take a spring break in the final week of March. Legislative leaders have said after tackling top priorities and controversial issues in the first half of the session, their focus for the second half will be workforce development and budgets.

The Alabama House will reconvene at 1 p.m. and the Senate at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 19.

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


THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS

Committee kills bill that would have required retailers to accept cash (alabamaretail.org)

Alabama Senate approves lottery, gambling bill, final outlook unclear (apnews.com)

House OKs its own version of a state tax exemption for baby bottles, formula, breast pumps, diapers, maternity clothes and menstrual hygiene products (alabamaretail.org)

Repeal of annual report requirement for corporations ready for House debate; Senate bill introduced (alabamaretail.org)

Eligible Alabama families have option to receive $7,000 to pay for private school tuition starting in the 2025 school year (al.com) | Governor’s news release

Gov. Kay Ivey signs into law bill to protect Alabama IVF services (al.com)

House version of legislation to eliminate school permission form for 14- and 15-year-olds to work moving (alabamaretail.org)

Text and video of Alabama Sen. Kate Britt’s response to Thursday’s State of the Union address (al.com)

Senate Judiciary alters, approves increase in civil and criminal penalties for violating child labor laws (alabamaretail.org)

Senate panel to discuss House-passed bill to require restaurants and delis to add country-of-origin labeling for fish and shrimp (alabamaretail.org)

Reimbursement requirement for PBMs ready for House consideration (alabamaretail.org)

Pharmacy board’s ability to set ratio of technicians to compounding pharmacists one step from final passage (alabamaretail.org)

Senate OKs parental notification of arrests of underage vapers (alabamaretail.org)

Energy choice legislation for appliances in line for final consideration (alabamaretail.org)

Proposals to include sheriffs in restitution from organized retail thieves and data privacy among introductions  (alabamaretail.org)

Prohibiting food products made from cultured animal cells heads to House (alabamaretail.org)

PRIMARY NEWS
Moore defeats Carl in 1st Congressional District (aldailynews.com)

Alabama District 2 race sends Figures, Daniels; Brewbaker, Dobson to runoffs (aldailynews.com)

Alabama’s redrawn US House map spurs primary runoffs and ousts an incumbent on Super Tuesday (apnews.com)

How Alabama’s 2nd congressional district plays a role in determining control of the U.S. House (al.com)

Aderholt wins Republican nomination in Alabama’s 4th Congressional District (cullmantimes.com)

Palmer wins Republican Primary for Alabama 6th Congressional District (shelbycountyreporter.com)

Sewell wins Democratic primary for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District (thehomewoodstar.com)

Sarah Stewart wins Republican nomination for Alabama chief justice (alabamareflector.com)

State, county vote against Amendment 1 on Primary ballot (shelbycountyreporter.com)

OTHER NEWS
Capping property tax increases advances in Alabama Legislature (aldailynews.com)

DOL overtime rule under White House review, nears release (bloomberglaw.com)

Consumer and merchant groups urge Congress to reject bill delaying Fed action on debit card swipe fees (merchantspaymentscoalition.com)

Alabama House passes bill limiting absentee voting (montgomeryadvertiser.com)

Alabama House committee OKs bill that would overhaul state ethics law (alabamareflector.com)


Previous Alabama Retail Reports


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