Texas House overwhelmingly passes bill eliminating sales tax from diapers, period products

AUSTIN — The Texas Household on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that repeals the state product sales tax on diapers, period of time products, newborn wipes and other related resources.

On a bipartisan vote of 145-2, Property Monthly bill 300, by Austin Democratic Rep. Donna Howard, handed on the Property flooring and now head to the Senate, wherever it is unclear if the chamber will approve the monthly bill or make any modifications.

Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse Metropolis, added an amendment that incorporates grownup diapers from the revenue tax exemption. Slaton explained a person of his grandparents had to use adult diapers.

“We have an increasingly growing old populace, numerous of whom are on fixed incomes,” Slaton mentioned from the Home flooring.

On Wednesday, Howard, a 17-calendar year Property member who heads the Texas Women’s Health and fitness Caucus, claimed the invoice displays the constructive influence the Legislature can have when it will work on a bipartisan foundation.

Howard has tried out for many classes to pass equivalent legislation but the expenditures have in no way passed. The monthly bill has bipartisan help with various Republican authors and coauthors.

The bill gets rid of the 6¼-cent revenue tax from a selection of merchandise, which supporters explained would support reduced-profits families.

From the Property flooring, Howard claimed the invoice experienced been “years in the making.”

“This monthly bill provides an opportunity to help Texas families at just about every phase of lifestyle,” Howard explained Tuesday.

There was no debate on the monthly bill, a shock supplied that identical legislation has faced hurdles in the Republican-led Legislature in past sessions. In modern months, quite a few best Republicans have expressed assist for this legislation. Home Speaker Dade Phelan also manufactured the invoice one of his priorities this session.

Phelan has claimed supporting moms and little ones is just one of his priorities for the Property.

Comptroller Glenn Hegar and Sen. Joan Huffman, who heads the tax-crafting Senate Finance Committee, voiced “strong support” for eradicating neighborhood and state revenue taxes on goods these kinds of as pads and tampons.

Holly McDaniel, executive director of the Austin Diaper Bank, a member of the Texas Coalition of Diaper Banking institutions, mentioned the bill gives “major relief” for Texas people.

“Removing the gross sales tax on diapers will aid be certain that mothers and fathers have entry to an satisfactory provide of cleanse diapers, which can assistance strengthen the health and well-getting of young children and their caregivers,” McDaniel claimed in a prepared statement.

In the U.S., one particular in three family members battle to supply thoroughly clean diapers to their toddlers, in accordance to the Countrywide Diaper Bank Community.

The bill is not only confined to diapers and period of time items. It also would exempt maternity apparel and breast pump items, which can charge people and individuals hundreds of dollars, even ahead of product sales tax is factored in.

On the Dwelling floor, Howard stated a family purchasing a month’s really worth of diapers and toddler wipes, a week’s truly worth of menstrual pads, a several nursing bras, maternity apparel and a breast pump could commit $350 before taxes. Income tax adds an added $28.72.

“It signifies a pair of times of food stuff, a offer of diapers, a tank of fuel to get to function, or a portion of any other charges they may have,” she mentioned. “This is just one illustration of tough-functioning Texas people hoping to make ends meet up with living paycheck to paycheck.”