Alabama House votes to remove sales taxes from some baby and feminine hygiene products

Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, in the chamber of the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that would remove state sales taxes from certain maternal, baby and menstrual hygiene products on a 102-0 vote.

HB 236 , sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, would remove state levies from baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast milk pumping equipment, diapers, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products for personal use. It would also allow local governments to remove their local sales taxes if desired.

The original fiscal note says the bill would remove $10.3 million from the education budget in fiscal year 2025 and $11.2 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Education Trust Fund budget is set to spend about $8.8 billion this year.

The bill is similar to legislation sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. The Alabama Senate approved that bill on Feb. 29.

Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, was the only representative to speak on the bill. She said the bill could help families in Alabama who may not currently be able to afford these products.

She said the legislation  complements a bill she passed in 2022 that created a grant program for schools to provide feminine hygiene products to female students free of charge .

“I appreciate what we do have with our girls, and I think this bill right here will help even more,” Hollis said.

The bill moves to the Senate.

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