Executive director: Law enforcement needs to ‘have discretion to make arrests’ where necessary
The Louisiana Retailers Association (LRA) supported legislation this year to benefit its members, according to Jessica Elliott, executive director. Two of the bills – HB 558 and SB 54 – were passed and have been signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
HB 558 requires the Uniform Local Sales Tax Board to create a new single remittance system whereby each taxpayer can pay state and local sales and use taxes through a single transaction.
“The new system will streamline the collection and remittance of sales taxes in Louisiana,” Elliott said.
SB 54 removes the requirement to just issue a summons and permits law enforcement officers to exercise discretion to make an arrest or issue a summons for certain theft offenses.
“Law enforcement officers need to have discretion to make arrests in situations where necessary to reduce crime in retail stores,” Elliott said.
According to Elliott, other legislation supported by the LRA included HB 471, which would have authorized pharmacists, techs and interns to immunize children ages 7 and older. HB 471 passed both the House and Senate, but the former did not adopt the latter’s amendments, so it was not enacted this year.
“Louisiana pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have been safely immunizing children ages 3 years and up since August 2020,” Elliott said. “Louisiana needs to take action to provide working Louisiana families choice and access to their trusted and trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.”
LRA also supported SB 1 to phase out the Corporate Franchise Tax. The CFT discourages capital investment in the state and requires businesses to pay the tax, regardless of profitability. SB 1 passed the House and the Senate but was vetoed by Edwards.
With the food retail industry being one of the most heavily regulated, the LRA provides an opportunity for its member retailers and wholesalers to have a voice in legislative and regulatory policymaking, Elliott said.
“We pride ourselves on being accessible to our members when they have questions, concerns or frustrations about Louisiana laws, regulations and policies that affect their bottom lines. We encourage our members to reach out when they encounter unnecessary roadblocks with state and local governmental agencies, and the LRA team is always prepared to assist in any way possible to seek solutions.”
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