Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, from the office of the Arkansas attorney general rejects a ballot measure that would eliminate the sales tax on feminine hygiene products.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Rejects Ballot Initiative To Exempt Feminine Hygiene Products From State Sales Tax (Photo: BBC)

A recently submitted ballot measure that would exempt feminine hygiene products from state sales tax was rejected by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

The Arkansas Period Poverty Project, a group fighting to eliminate the tampon tax on items including tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and other items used for the menstrual cycle in humans, presented the campaign.

Attorney General Tim Griffin stated in an opinion issued on Monday that the ballot language was rejected because it was unclear from the proposed measure’s wording if adoption would put Arkansas out of conformity with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.

A deal between 24 states called the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement aims to streamline and modernize state sales and use taxes. 

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The agreement allows Arkansas to pass product-based tax exemptions as long as they adhere to standards that are in conformity with the Streamlined Agreement.

While grooming and hygiene items, such as soaps and cleaning supplies, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, antiperspirants, and sunblock and sunscreen, were not directly mentioned in the AG ruling, it was highlighted that the ballot language did define feminine hygiene products.

The Arkansas Period Recovery Project said in a statement that it would be delighted to make any revisions necessary to receive approval to put the proposal on a future ballot after hearing that the attorney general had rejected the ballot language.

The plan was rejected by the Attorney General’s office on Monday, September 25th, citing feedback that the phrasing was too broad. 

In order to secure the Attorney General’s approval and start gathering signatures, APPP is more than willing to make any adjustments that are required.

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