Rep. Johnson-Hostler files bill in North Carolina House to exempt menstrual products from sales tax

The new bill filed by State Rep. Monika Johnson-Hostler seeks to make menstrual products exempt from North Carolina’s retail sales and use tax, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 1079 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Menstrual Products Sales Tax Exemption.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill exempts menstrual products from North Carolina’s retail sales and use tax starting Oct. 1, 2026, for sales made on or after that date. The bill defines menstrual products as tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins and similar tangible personal property designed for feminine hygiene in connection with the human menstrual cycle. The bill appears intended to reduce the cost of these essential health items by removing state sales tax from their purchase and use.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Julie von Haefen proposed the most bills (33) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Johnson-Hostler graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BS.

Johnson-Hostler, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 33rd House district, replacing previous state representative Rosa Gill.