MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday voted to cut the state sales tax on food and to exempt diapers, baby formula, and menstrual hygiene products from the state sales tax altogether.
The Alabama Senate approved both bills by a vote of 34-0. The bills now go to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.
The food tax reduction comes as lawmakers in both parties said families are being hurt by soaring grocery prices.
The reduction, if signed into law, will lower the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% beginning Sept. 1. Lawmakers in 2023 reduced the tax from 4% to 3%. An additional reduction to 2% was planned, but it hinged on budget growth that did not materialize.
“We’re still one of a few states that taxes groceries. We’re headed toward zero taxes, we’re headed in the right direction. This is big,” Republican Rep. Danny Garrett, the sponsor of the bill, said.
The reduction will cost the state about $121 million annually in tax revenue that would otherwise go to the Education Trust Fund.
The leader of Alabama Arise, an advocacy group that supports policies that help low-income families, said the grocery tax belongs in the “dustbin of history.”
“The grocery tax drives many families deeper into poverty, and Arise remains committed to the goal of eliminating it entirely,” Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden said.
Lawmakers also approved a bill that will exempt baby formula, maternity clothing, diapers and menstrual hygiene products from state sales tax. Baby wipes, breast pumps and bottles would also be exempt. The exemption from the 4% sales tax will cost the state about $13 million annually.
“This is a big win for Alabama’s working families,” Democratic Rep. Neil Rafferty, the sponsor of the bill, wrote on social media about the approval.
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