Committee backs temporary sales‑tax exemption for home hardening products

Representative Dunkley presented the proposed committee substitute for HB 185, describing it as a temporary sales‑tax exemption on home hardening products—impact‑resistant windows, doors and garage doors—available for homestead residential properties with a value of $700,000 or less. Sponsor language specified the exemption would run from July 1, 2026, through July 30, 2028, and would be available only via refund of sales tax paid and limited to $500 per property.

Supporters on the public record included Shante Jones of AARP and Carrie Hebrink of PGT Innovations, both of whom waved in support. Representative Dunkley and others framed the measure as alleviating some financial burden for families seeking to harden homes against storms.

After brief discussion and no recorded opposition, the committee voted to report HB 185 favorably (19 yeas, 0 nays) and advanced the bill to the next committee stop.