At midnight Monday, the Alabama Legislature gaveled out its 2021 regular session. On the final day, about 50 bills traveled through the hoppers in each of the two legislative chambers, including a record $2.4 billion General Fund budget. Meanwhile, one week before the final day, the governor announced that Alabama will no longer be accepting the extra $300 a week in federally funded unemployment compensation benefits, starting June 19.
The Alabama Retail Association had been tracking 15 of the bills acted on by the Legislature or the governor in the final day, some of which are now law and others that are on the governor’s desk. She has 10 days to either sign or pocket veto any legislation that passes in the final five days of a session.
And though the regular session is done, the Legislature’s work for the year is not. Lawmakers are expected to meet in special session on redistricting and possibly on prisons and gambling legislation, if lawmakers can agree on a plan. The Alabama Legislature’s 2022 regular session begins Jan.11.
To learn about issues of importance to retailers that await the governor’s action, died or became law in the session’s final days, continue reading. Expect a more complete summary of the 2021 regular session sometime in the next two weeks.
For legislative and other news of relevance to retailers,
read This Week in Retail News.
THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS
Businesses would not be able to refuse goods, services or admission to customers based on immunization status under bill on the governor’s desk (alabamaretail.org)
This summer, breweries can triple and distilleries can double what they can sell daily per customer for off-premise consumption (alabamaretail.org)
State tax exemption for federal restaurant benefits on way to governor in last-minute move; pass-through entity deduction is law (alabamaretail.org)
Law allows medical marijuana in Alabama, possibly by fall of 2022 | Act No. 2021-450 (montgomeryadvertiser.com)
Session ends without lottery/gaming decision; governor says agreement needed before special session (AP via aldailynews.com)
The U.S. House approves Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; Senate next to consider (shrm.org)
RESTAURANTS: Pet dogs would be allowed in outdoor dining areas under bill on governor’s desk; posting low health scores on drive-thru menu boards dies (alabamaretail.org)
New law allows wineries to ship directly to Alabama homes; creates fulfillment center license (alabamaretail.org)
Small wineries can self-distribute and sell directly to consumers, starting Aug. 1 (alabamaretail.org)
Further restrictions on manufacture, distribution, sales and advertising of vape products take effect Aug. 1 (alabamaretail.org)
Retail sales of consumer fireworks and novelties can begin July 12 in Alabama (alabamaretail.org)
CDC updates guidance for the fully vaccinated (cdc.gov)
Loosened mask and social distancing recommendations provide new incentives for Alabamians to be vaccinated for COVID-19 (alabamapublichealth.gov)
Alabama expands vaccine eligibility to include those 12 and older (governor.alabama.gov)
Regularly check our COVID-19 Resources page at www.alabamaretail.org
Previous Alabama Retail Reports
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