So I've researched and manufactured laser rifles & pistols to outfit my squad. In the description, and in the original game, lasers had unlimited ammo and the advantage of laser weaponry was that it freed the player from having to reload in the midst of battle.
So when I went into battle imagine my surprise when I had to reload the troopers' laser rifles.
Is this a bug? Or intended?

Yeah, I've had to reload them, but so with the plasma weapons. There is a research option that makes you reload less, or you have more ammo per clip, or whatever it is --- the end result is you aren't reloading as often.

IIRC pistols don't have to be reloaded though.