BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Latest on a proposed Louisiana tax break for diapers and feminine hygiene products (all times local):

6:40 p.m.

After stalling one proposal to exempt diapers and tampons from Louisiana’s state sales tax, the Senate revived the measure in a second bill.

Sen. J.P. Morrell, a New Orleans Democrat, proposes to remove the 4.45 percent state sales tax from diapers and feminine hygiene products starting in 2021.

Senators on Wednesday rejected including that exemption in the state constitution. But later in the day, they backed including the tax break in statute.

That statutory change passed in a 29-5 vote, moving to the House for debate.

Morrell says the items are essential to women and children, in line with prescription drugs, which are exempt from sales tax.

Opponents cited the tax break’s cost, estimated at nearly $10 million a year.

___

6 p.m.

A proposal to exempt diapers and tampons from Louisiana’s state sales tax has stalled in the Senate.

Sen. J.P. Morrell, a New Orleans Democrat, proposed to remove the 4.45 percent state sales tax from diapers and feminine hygiene products starting in 2021, if voters agreed to the constitutional change .

Morrell described the exemption as a “moral issue.” He says the items are essential to women and children, in line with prescription drugs, which are exempt from sales tax.

The Senate voted 21-12 for the measure, but it needed 26 votes to pass.

Opponents cited the tax break’s cost, estimated at nearly $10 million a year.

Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a Slidell Republican, voted against the measure, saying the exemption would offer only small relief to households.