Ballot Measure
An Act to Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers from Sales and Use Tax
Catherine "Katie" Clark, Founder of Arkansas Period Poverty Project community group and Chair of the Ballot Question Committee, has worked hard on period poverty legislation for the past 3 years, attempting to remove the tampon tax in the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions. She faced a great deal of difficulty educating legislators on the issue of period poverty in Arkansas and the importance of taking action. On September 27th, 2023, the Arkansas Period Poverty Project, submitted a ballot title to the Attorney General to exempt period products and diapers, both child and adult, from sales and use tax in Arkansas. On October 10th, 2023 the Attorney General approved the ballot title. Thus began the journey of collecting over 72,500 signatures from registered voters in Arkansas by July 2024 to make it on the November 2024 ballot.
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The issue of period poverty and diaper need is incredibly important in Arkansas because:
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26% of children, 19% of women, and 12% of seniors are living in poverty in Arkansas.
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1 in 4 students miss school because they don't have access to enough period products, putting them up to 145 days behind their male peers.
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1 in 2 families struggle to afford diapers for their children, having to spend roughly $800 on infant diapers in the first year of life for one child.
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Not having access to enough period products or diapers means using products for longer than recommended or not using products at all, which leads to urogynecological conditions and medical bills.
Ballot Committee Members
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Catherine "Katie" Clark, Chair: Founder of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project
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Shannie Jackson, Treasurer: Leader of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project
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Amber Jackson: Founder and Director of the Fayetteville Menstrual Dignity Program
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April Roy: Founder and CEO of femPAQ
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League of Women Voters of Arkansas
Ballot Title
An act to exempt feminine hygiene products and children and adult diapers, including disposable diapers from sales and use tax effective January 1, 2025. Defining “feminine hygiene products” as tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and other similar tangible personal property designed for feminine hygiene in connection with the human menstrual cycle. Defining “diapers” as an absorbent garment worn by humans who are incapable of, or have difficulty, controlling their bladder or bowel movements.
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Text of Measure
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Arkansas:
Arkansas Code § 26-52-401, concerning sales tax exemptions for certain products and services, is amended to add an additional subdivision to read as follows:
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(A) Gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of a feminine hygiene products and diapers, children and adult, including disposable diapers.
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(B) “Feminine hygiene products” means tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and other similar tangible personal property designed for feminine hygiene in connection with the human menstrual cycle.
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(C) “Feminine hygiene products” does not include the following items regardless of whether the item is an over-the-counter drug that contains a label that identifies the product as a drug as required by 21 C.F.R. § 201.66, as it existed on January 1, 2023;
(i) A soap or cleaning solution; (ii) Shampoo;
(iii) Toothpaste;
(iv) Mouthwash;(v) Antiperspirant; or
(vi) Sun tan lotion and sunscreen.
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(D) “Diaper” means an absorbent garment worn by humans who are incapable of, or
have difficulty, controlling their bladder or bowel movements.
This act is effective January 1, 2025.
Get Involved
Are you interested in helping get this initiative on the ballot?!
Below are a few ways you can help!
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Volunteer
We need four dedicated volunteers in all 75 counties to go out into communities and gather signatures! If you're interested in helping out, click here.
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Donate
In order to collect signatures from over 72,500 registered voters, we need help covering the costs of printing petitions, traveling, and advertisements. Did you know to print 1,000 petitions costs $129? The cost of printing petitions to over 72,500 signatures is about $9,500. Every little bit helps! Donate here today!