California Bill Would Exempt Diapers From Sales Tax

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Some of California's most liberal and conservative lawmakers are joining forces to make diapers duty free.

Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego announced Wednesday a bill that would exempt diapers from the state's sales tax. Gonzalez says the move could save California families up to $100 per child a year.

AB717 has bipartisan support from eight lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Joel Anderson of Alpine as principal co-author.

Gonzalez says diapers should be in the same category as food because they are a health necessity.

California's base sales tax is 7.5 percent but most jurisdictions add on local taxes. It's unclear how much the diaper exemption would cost the state.

Supporters say six states already exempt diapers from sales taxes, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.