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Rep. Susan Duckworth, D-Magna, wants to eliminate the sales tax on diapers for babies and adults, underwear and liners for incontinence, and tampons and sanitary napkins.

She introduced HB202 to eliminate the tax on these items, saying they are essential for health — and paying for them puts extra stress on the elderly and young families.

"Those hygiene items can be medically necessary, especially for our elderly — but also our infants and youth," she said. "They should not be taxed."

Duckworth said, "I had my dad living with us after my mom passed away and that's quite an expense when they are on those pads. The majority of our seniors are on a fixed income. While it's not going to be a big tax break for them, every little bit we can give them would be a benefit."

Legislative fiscal analysts have not yet estimated how much the bill could cost in lost revenue.

Utah law exempts prescription drugs from sales tax. It charges a reduced state rate for grocery food — 3 percent instead of 4.7 percent on other items (local cities and counties charge additional tax beyond what the state imposes).

— Lee Davidson