A two-day IMRA Legislative Strategy Roundtable held December 11-13, in Tempe, AZ, provided IMRA retailer and supplier members and state retail executives with a unique opportunity to come together to forge new working relationships and to set the 2001 state and federal legislative priorities.

Retailers and suppliers also identified issues key to their companies. This helped generate an understanding among meeting participants of the diverse range of issues confronting the mass retail industry. Retailers and suppliers also discovered numerous issues of common concern and shared ideas on joint action strategies on these issues.

STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
The group identified four 2001 key state issues (for more information click on the links below):

1. SMART GROWTH - to preserve consumer shopping choice

2. COLLECTING SALES TAX ON THE INTERNET AND STREAMLINING SALES TAX COLLECTION

3. PRIVACY

4. STABLE STACKING OF MERCHANDISE

Other state issues discussed at the meeting that IMRA will track and inform members on include:

Building Codes
Three regional building code organizations (ICBO, BOCA and SBCCI) that write standards for new and existing buildings are developing a new uniform national building code and a new uniform national fire code. The new codes will be in place in some jurisdictions this year. IMRA has submitted technical comments on the building code proposals, with assistance from IMRA’s Store Design and Planning Steering Committee, IMRA’s Workplace Safety Group, and an IMRA-International Council of Shopping Centers working group. We will renew these efforts, and seek out allies in other organizations and among code officials in the next cycle of code revisions (which will take effect in the year 2003).

Employee Licensing Issues
In many states, legislatures are attempting to license our employees to sell the products and services offered by the store. This would have widely damaging effects, as our associates would not be able to perform their jobs and entire segments of our business would be at risk. Employee licensing includes contractor, interior design, locksmith, plumbing/electric and security guards.

Loss Prevention Issues
IMRA has actively worked with retailers, suppliers and state associations to pass legislation that helps retailers address a variety of loss prevention problems. These include laws to prevent the sale of stolen goods at flea markets, prevent identity theft, and increase the penalties for repeat offenders. IMRA members reaffirmed their commitment to these issues and urged IMRA to continue to supports efforts to pass state laws to help stem the tide of these crimes.

Regulation of the Sale of Violent Video Games
A number of mass retailers have implemented voluntary efforts to inform consumers about the violent content of some video and computer games. Such steps included the posting of signs explaining the video and computer rating system as well as the checking of identification at all check-out registers for valid proof of age when a M-rated video or computer game is purchased. IMRA will continue to work with retailers on these voluntary programs.

Wage Issues - Minimum and Living Wage
Many local, city and county governments may consider living wage legislation that will make the federal minimum wage look reasonable by comparison. Since mass retailers depend on a large pool of employees, raising the minimum wage or establishing a “living wage” will force higher costs or drastically reduce labor. Mass retailers will be forced to either reduce productivity and customer service, or raise prices on customers if a living wage is implemented. IMRA will continue to oppose any efforts to require individual employee licenses for those employed by mass retailers.