Bipartisan groups of lawmakers in the House and the Senate on Thursday reintroduced legislation that would make it easier for states to collect sales tax from online purchases.

“Folks shouldn’t have to pay a premium at the register just because they’re supporting a local business,” said Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), a lead sponsor of the House bill. “Unfortunately, the existing inequality means the deck is too often stacked against our Main Street retailers."

As a result of a 1992 Supreme Court decision, states are only allowed to require online retailers to collect sales tax if the businesses have a physical presence in the state. Customers are still required to pay taxes on the purchases, but in reality few do.

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The bills would allow states to require out-of-state online retailers to collect their sales taxes, if the states simplify their tax laws.

An earlier version of the Senate bill passed the chamber in 2013. But efforts on online sales tax legislation have stalled in the past, in part because House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteNo documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself USCIS chief Cuccinelli blames Paul Ryan for immigration inaction MORE (R-Va.), whose panel has jurisdiction over the matter, is interested in taking a different approach to the issue.

Sponsors of the bills argue that the legislation helps provide a level playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers. They also said state and local budgets are suffering due to their difficulties in collecting sales taxes from internet purchases.

Sen. Mike Enzi Michael (Mike) Bradley EnziCynthia Lummis wins GOP Senate primary in Wyoming The Hill's Convention Report: Democrats gear up for Day Two of convention Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Wyo.), a lead sponsor of the Senate bill, said the measure "is about supporting jobs and services we have in our towns, while ensuring states have the ability to collect taxes they are owed, if they choose to.”

Retail groups also praised the reintroduction of the legislation.

"These important measures will fix an outdated tax loophole that currently gives online retailers a price advantage of up to 10 percent over brick-and-mortar stores, has shortchanged communities on much-needed sales tax revenue and overcomplicated our country’s current sales tax system," said Tom McGee, president and CEO of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Other sponsors of the House bill include Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Steve Womack Stephen (Steve) Allen WomackEx-CBO director calls for more than trillion in coronavirus stimulus spending Overnight Defense: Lawmakers tear into Pentagon over .8B for border wall | Dems offer bill to reverse Trump on wall funding | Senators urge UN to restore Iran sanctions Lawmakers trade insults over Trump budget cuts MORE (R-Ark.) and Jason Chaffetz Jason ChaffetzThe myth of the conservative bestseller Elijah Cummings, Democratic chairman and powerful Trump critic, dies at 68 House Oversight panel demands DeVos turn over personal email records MORE (R-Utah). In addition to Enzi, sponsors of the Senate bill include Sens. Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (D-Ill.), Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderTrump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response Now is the time to renew our focus on students and their futures CDC says asymptomatic people don't need testing, draws criticism from experts MORE (R-Tenn.) and Heidi Heitkamp Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampCentrists, progressives rally around Harris pick for VP 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama MORE (D-N.D.).