summary
Introduced
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill adds over-the-counter medicines and drugs to the sales tax exemption for medicines sold for humans on a doctor's prescription as long as the over-the-counter medicine or drug is labelled according to the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration. Medicines or drugs included in the new exemption include anesthetics; antacids; contraceptive supplies, drugs, devices and products approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy; medication prepared for use in the eyes, ears or nose; opioid antagonists; products intended to be taken for coughs, colds, asthma or allergies; and steroidal medicines.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Maine's sales tax exemption for medicines by expanding the existing prescription medicine exemption to include a wide range of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and drugs, provided they meet the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) labeling requirements. Specifically, the bill defines OTC medicines to include anesthetics, antacids, anthelmintics, antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral medicines, antiseptics, astringents, contraceptive supplies and products, emetics and antiemetics, eye/ear/nose medications, opioid antagonists, products for coughs/colds/asthma/allergies, and steroidal medicines. The tax exemption will apply to sales of these OTC medicines occurring on or after January 1, 2026, and explicitly does not include cannabis sales. By broadening the existing tax exemption, the bill aims to make a wider range of medical and health-related products more affordable for consumers by removing the sales tax burden.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (10)
Mattie Daughtry (D)*,
Donna Bailey (D),
Bruce Bickford (R),
Michelle Boyer (D),
Stacy Brenner (D),
Matt Harrington (R),
Bob Nutting (R),
Cameron Reny (D),
Kilton Webb (D),
Sam Zager (D),
Last Action
Voted: Divided Report (on 05/21/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1734&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0680&item=1&snum=132 |
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