Retail Report: Budgets, Lottery Coming Up; Gov’s Desk Crowded

As it did last week, controversial legislation took up most of the air time in the Alabama Legislature this week.

The state’s budgets are expected to see some action next week. The Senate budget-writing committee Wednesday rewrote the state’s general operating budget (HB152), putting it in line to be considered by the full Senate. Meanwhile, the House budget committee over education spending will conduct a public hearing on the schools budget (SB199) Tuesday and is scheduled to vote on that budget Wednesday. A state lottery bill is first up on Tuesday’s House agenda.

The governor has on her desk bills to save employers millions in unemployment compensation costs, regulate vaping sales and lower the age for commercial truck drivers. The Senate this week voted to create a shoplifting crime in Alabama.

To learn about these and other issues of importance to retailers, continue reading.

The House will convene at 1 p.m. and the Senate at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, for the 22nd legislative day of the 30-day regular session.

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


THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS

UC changes with $42.3 million annual savings for employers with governor (alabamaretail.org)

Senate OKs creating Alabama shoplifting law; allows arrests inside stores (alabamaretail.org)

Felony shoplifting threshold would increase 300% under newest legislation (alabamaretail.org)

Legislature opts to study direct wine shipment (alabamaretail.org)

Vaping regulation on governor’s desk; tobacco permit required and no sales to minors (alabamaretail.org)

Panel OKs Alabama lottery plan; On Tuesday’s House agenda (SB220) (al.com)

Legislature votes to lower age for commercial truck drivers; bill on governor’s desk (alabamaretail.org)

Bill would prevent cities from adopting new occupational taxes(alabamaretail.org)

Governor signs Enterprise Sunday sales into law, five others and Mountain Brook brunch bill are on her desk (alabamaretail.org)

House approves pay equity bill (alabamaretail.org)

House Health amends, approves standards for subbing interchangeable biosimilars (alabamaretail.org)


Previous Alabama Retail Reports


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