The 2021 comprehensive legislative Law Review was emailed to dues-paying WR members this week. One of the major benefits of WR membership is receiving the annual Law Review—a description of the major legislation enacted that impacts retailers and their operations. This 20 plus page document has effective dates and links to the new laws that you will need to come into compliance with or could benefit your retail business, such as tax breaks and government-funded employee training programs.
Not a member of Washington Retail? If you would like to receive this document and many other valuable resources and services, please contact our Director of Business Development, Terry Hopsecger, at 360-200-6453 or [email protected]. We offer competitive dues rates and an industry-leading retrospective rating industrial insurance program – that can return part of your workers’ compensation premiums if you and the other retro members maintain a safe workplace.
During the 2021 Legislative Session, WR reviewed 1,438 bills for potential impacts to retailers. Some of the highlights were an unemployment insurance relief package to help alleviate the significant rate increases anticipated due to the forced layoffs related to the pandemic, a new law stating that Business and Occupation tax is not due on pandemic relief aid, and a law allowing counties to set up payment plans for property taxes. Unfortunately, two disappointing results of this year’s Legislature included the adoption of a new Capital Gains Tax of 7%—which is currently being challenged in court—and the failure for the third year in a row of a consumer data privacy law to protect customer’s sensitive information while allowing merchants to provide a high level of service.
The Law Review will soon be uploaded to the members’ only section of our website at: https://washingtonretail.org/member-login/.
If you are a member and need the proper credentials to access the members’ only section, please contact Executive Assistant Jessica Tingle at 360-846-2447 or [email protected]
If you have any questions regarding the Law Review, please feel free to contact me directly at: [email protected] or 360-704-0048
