House Bill 300, authored by Rep. Donna Howard (D-48) provides a sales tax exemption for certain family care products. Currently, several medications and certain food products are exempt. This bill expands the current sales tax exemption list to include menstrual products and baby supplies. Specifically:
- Baby and Adult Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby bottles
- Menstrual Products: tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, menstrual sponges, menstrual pads, and other similar items sold for feminine hygiene related to the menstrual cycle or postpartum care
- Maternity Clothing
- Breast Milk Pumping Products: breast pump, breast milk storage bag, nursing pad, nursing bra, or similar items
Rep. Howard has worked on this bill for many years, with it finally passing the House Floor on March 29, 2023. This bill had a record vote of 145 Yeas, 2 Nays, and 1 No vote. HB 300 was a priority bill for the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, Dade Phelan. The bill will now be heard in the Senate, where it will have to be passed and then sent to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Sales tax exemptions for family products gives consumers breaks – something that is very important given the current economy and rise of inflation! Particularly, these exemptions will help lower income families be able to purchase the supplies they need at a cheaper price. Even though these taxes equate to pennies on the dollar, these amounts add up.
I know I will certainly benefit from being able to purchase both feminine AND postpartum products without the additional burden of a sales tax. It’s great to see legislators in Texas prioritize the need for these products at a lower cost. While there are many other aspects of women’s health in the state that still need work, HB 300 is a step in the right direction.