MARYLAND - In the final week of Maryland's legislative session, moves are being made to implement what has been dubbed a 'sleep tax,' that would apply a levy to the sale of all mattress sales in the state.
The tax, which has been undefined in the bill, would implement the unspecified amount as part of a new "Mattress Stewardship Program." The bill states it would require mattress producers to define how they plan to recycle and dispose of mattresses in an environmentally friendly way.
The legislation passed the Maryland House last week. It comes as lawmakers have announced one point six billion dollars in new taxes and fees, and two billion dollars in budget cuts, as the state faces a more than three billion dollar budget deficit.
This tax would be in addition to the six percent sales tax already levied on all purchases in the state, including mattresses.