Retail Report: Budgets OK’d; retail theft bill tops House agenda for next week

In the wee hours of this morning, the Alabama Legislature sent the governor both the education and general spending plans for 2024, as well as supplemental appropriations from this year’s education and general funds. Thursday, the Legislature approved a one-time income tax rebate. Three legislative days remain in the 2023 regular session.

First up on the House’s proposed agenda for next week is legislation creating a retail theft and organized retail theft law.

Even though the budgets are done, the retail theft and several other major items await action, including reducing the sales tax on food and freeing more than 3,000 businesses from having to prepay sales tax.

The Alabama House will convene at 1 p.m. Alabama Senate and the Alabama Senate at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, for the 28th day of the 2023 regular session. The Legislature is expected to meet for two days next week after an extended Memorial Day weekend.

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


THIS WEEK IN RETAIL NEWS

Bill targeting retail thieves tops Wednesday’s House agenda (alabamaretail.org)

$150 income tax rebate to partially offset grocery sales tax gets final OK, awaits governor’s signature (alabamaretail.org)

Legislation to reduce state sales tax on SNAP foods from 4% to 2% gains House approval; awaits Senate action (alabamaretail.org)

Bill that would equalize alcohol that can be sold curbside with what can be delivered is on the governor’s desk (alabamaretail.org)

Alabama Legislature gives final approval to education budget, supplemental spending (alabamareflector.com)

Local projects focus of $3B General Fund, supplemental conflicts (aldailynews.com)

Eighteen- to 20-year-old servers now allowed in hotel restaurants; online responsible vendor training also possible under new law (alabamaretail.org)

One-time emergency refill expansion effective Aug. 1 (alabamaretail.org)

Helena entertainment district bill gets final OK; mixed spirit beverages may get public hearing/task force (alabamaretail.org)

Rep. Fred Plump to resign amid conspiracy, obstruction charges (aldailynews.com)

Vape bill that adds e-liquids to oversight ready for Senate consideration; Senate OKs notifying parents of underage vape possession  (alabamaretail.org)

House votes to allow food & beverage trucks to sell alcohol in entertainment districts, awaits action by Senate panel (alabamaretail.org)

Bill that makes doxing a crime passes the Senate, must go back to the House (alabamareflector.com)

PARCA report shows online sales tax impact on schools, stores (aldailynews.com)

FDA approves Paxlovid for treatment of COVID-19 in adults; previously had emergency use authorization (fda.gov)

Labor board issues complaint against Amazon’s Bessemer center (al.com)


Previous Alabama Retail Reports


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