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A north Alabama lawmaker says he wants to ensure in the future some businesses canât be closed during states of emergency while their competitors remain open.
House Bill 103 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would allow businesses and places of worship to remain open as long as they comply with any emergency order, rules or regulations issued by the governor and state or local agencies.
âI saw local clothing stores, local boutiques, local sporting goods stores that were forced to close while other stores remained open selling the same products that those forced to close were selling, and I just didnât think that was right,â Kiel said about the springtime order meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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In its passage this week of a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, Congress extended by a year statesâ Dec. 30 deadlines for spending money allocated under the previous CARES Act.
Alabama still has hundreds of millions of dollars left to spend from the $1.7 billion it was awarded in the spring, and several state leaders had requested a spending extension while also making contingency plans for allowable, last-minute usage.
Congress on Monday sent the long-sought proposal to President Donald Trump, who after initially saying he would sign the bill, threatened late Tuesday to veto it saying that $600 direct payments to most Americans is not enough.Â