In 2017, following a suggestion from a member, Georgia Women (And Those Who Stand With Us) initiated a campaign to eliminate Georgia’s 4% state sales tax from menstrual products. Meetings with middle Georgia elected officials resulted in HB731 carried by Rep. Debbie Buckner (D) Junction City and cosponsored by Rep. Allen Peake (R) Macon.

 

Despite getting a hearing in committee, various factors led to HB731 never being called for a vote during the 2018 legislative session. 2018 remains a highly successful year for this work, in that a statewide coalition was birthed which resulted in the formation of Georgia STOMP (Stop Tax On Menstrual Products).

 

Georgia Women, as a founding member of Georgia STOMP, continues its leadership role in the statewide of coalition, which now numbers more than 10,000 members and continues to grow.

 

The focus of the coalition remains on tax elimination (HB8 was introduced in the 2019 legislative session with 28 original signers) but has expanded to include a wide range of issues related to period poverty, menstrual equity and facilitating access in public facilities, particularly schools, prisons and following natural disasters.

 

For the most current update on the elimination of Georgia’s menstrual product sales tax, go to   GeorgiaSTOMP.com