A group of activists is trying to remove Arkansas’ statewide tax on menstrual hygiene products and diapers – and raising awareness about the stigma surrounding periods as they go.

Leaders of the Arkansas Period Poverty Project shared why they’re putting forward a ballot measure to exempt those products from the state sales and use tax at a menstrual hygiene awareness discussion Tuesday. The project’s founder, Katie Clark, says kids in Arkansas schools don’t learn everything they need to know about periods.

“Menstrual education is uncommon in Arkansas.” Clark told attendees. “Many young people are unfamiliar with the menstrual cycle which, as we’ve seen, leads to adults who are unfamiliar with the menstrual cycle.”

Arkansas Period Poverty Project leaders discuss menstrual equity, awareness

*Richard Yeh/WNYC*
A proposed ballot measure would exempt diapers and menstrual products from sales and use tax in Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK – In the 2021 Regular Session of the 93rd General Assembly, legislators passed Act 586 “The Tax Appeals Commission Act”. This new act directed the state to create, within the Department of Inspector General, an independent agency with tax expertise to hear and resolve disputes between the Department of Finance and Administration and taxpayers before requiring the payments of the amount in issue.

By establishing the Tax Appeals Commission as an independent tax tribunal within the executive branch of government, taxpayers are provided with a means of resolving controversies with the Department of Finance and Administration before a neutral body.

The commission will be made up of three qualified electors with substantial knowledge of Arkansas tax law appointed by the governor, and they will serve 9-year terms.

Act 586 requires names to be submitted to the governor by the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Arkansas Bar Association, and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants. It then requires the governor to select from the three pools of candidates.

The Governor has appointed the following:

Chief Commissioner - Jeffrey H. Moore, Little Rock
- Attorney and CPA nominated by the Arkansas Supreme Court
- Jeffrey H. Moore is a trial lawyer with a focus on construction disputes. Moore also maintains his license as a CPA
Commissioner - Matt Boch, Little Rock
- Attorney nominated by the Arkansas Bar Association
- Matt Boch is an Arkansas Tax Attorney that specializes in state and local taxes and economic development incentives
Commissioner - Joseph A. Sanford, Rogers
- Licensed CPA nominated by the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Joseph A. Sanford is President of Sanford and Company, CPAs in Mena, Arkansas