Proposed Bill Would Reduce Prices Of Diapers, Food And Medicine …The measure has widespread support from business groups.
In a proposal that would significantly reduce costs of necessities for Hawaii households, a state senator is pushing to exempt diapers, food and medicine from Hawaii’s general excise tax.
The proposal by Sen. Glenn Wakai would reduce the cost of groceries at the cash register by 4% statewide and 4.5% on Oahu.
Wakai, who is chair of the Senate Energy, Economic Development and Tourism Committee, added the provision to a bill that came before the committee on Friday. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the exemption. The original House bill called for a general excise tax exemption only on diapers.
