By Allison R. Donahue, Michigan Advance

Two bills aimed at ending taxes on menstrual products on Thursday passed through the House Tax Policy Committee. 

House Bill 5267, introduced by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Cannon Twp.), and House Bill 4270, introduced by state Rep. Tenisha Yancey (D-Harper Woods), would exempt menstrual products from the state’s sales tax and use tax, respectively. 

Rep. Steve Johnson (R-Wayland) was the lone no vote on the bills. 

“I am glad my colleagues see this issue as the public health crisis it is and agree that sanitary products are essential items that women cannot live without, including Michigan’s women,” Yancey said. 

Currently, menstrual products are taxed 6% in sales and use taxes — leading to Michigan women paying millions annually in taxes for these sanitary items. Several other states have passed similar legislation.

The bills, which have support from both sides of the aisle, are expected to go before the House for a floor vote in the coming weeks. They would then head to the Senate for consideration.

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