Two Arkansas bills aimed at changing how community water fluoridation is decided in the state died in committee earlier this month.
Lawmakers filed legislation in November to repeal a state law requiring fluoride in drinking water. The repeal would have allowed local voters to decide whether their community should have fluoride in its water.
Senate Bill 2 would have removed a section of state statute that currently states: “The company, corporation, municipality, county, government agency, or other entity that owns or controls a water system shall control the quantity of fluoride in the water so as to maintain a fluoride content established by the Department of Health.”
Senate Bill 4 would have allowed a city governing body or county quorum court to call an election. If an election did occur, a subsequent election would not be allowed for at least four more years.
The end of both bills comes as several states weigh similar legislation. Utah and Florida most recently became the first states to enact statewide bans, while other states are considering either banning fluoride or making it optional.
