I'm a bit confused on the requirements for submission timing. If the load-remover is used, is it necessary to also submit a time with loads included?

Not really. If you look at other games' leaderboards you'll see that a lot of submissions don't submit the RTA time, but since you're using livesplit for the load remover, and it shows both times regardless, you might as well submit both for good measure, is how I see it.

That makes sense. Thanks!