MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — A bill that would raise the online sales tax in Alabama is headed to the State House floor.

The current Internet sales tax is at eight percent for online purchases. HB 258 would raise that number to just over nine percent.

The bill says that it “levels the playing field” between online shopping and buying from local stores. The additional revenue made from the tax would go toward schools, counties, and municipalities. This accompanies another bill that would create a tax-free holiday, specifically for sporting goods.

The proposed tax increase to 9.3% would only go into effect if the tax-free holiday bill is passed. Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley) said that she voted against the tax increase in committee.

“We have unprecedented sales tax revenue in the state of Alabama right now. This is not the time to bring a tax on our people,” Rep. Wood said.

Elmore County resident Tish MacInnis says that if a higher tax means benefitting children in the state, she is all for it.

“Anything that could improve our community and put a little bit more money in there to help the children — I’m all for it,” MacInnis said. “I think that’s an important thing for our legislature to be dealing with.”

Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) voted against the bill with Rep. Wood. He says that there are other priorities to focus on in the legislature.

“The Education Budget — as of two weeks ago — had $288 million worth of requests for tax cuts, or tax credits. I do think it’s important that we prioritize those before considering them,” Kiel said.

Rep. Kiel says that many counties already choose to split their sales taxes with local schools. The online sales tax increase and the bill that would create a tax-free holiday for sporting goods are expected on the House floor Tuesday.