Senate committee rejects repeal of state fluoride mandate after hours of testimony

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee failed to pass Senate Bill 2, a measure that would remove Arkansas’ state requirement to fluoridate public water supplies and leave the decision to municipalities and local water districts.

Representative Matt Duffield, the bill sponsor, described the measure as removing a state mandate — not banning fluoridation — and called it a local‑control proposal. "It just removes the mandate. So it would leave it up to the municipalities or the water districts to decide if they wanna keep, fluoridating their water," Duffield told the committee.

The committee heard roughly equal numbers of witnesses for and against the repeal over an extended public‑comment period. Supporters included several rural water officials and residents who questioned the safety, source and centralized administration of fluoride chemicals. Andy Anderson, chairman of the Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water Authority, said his board and member entities opposed forced fluoridation, noting the authority declined to add fluoride because member systems voted against it and faced fines from the health department.

Opponents included medical and dental groups and clinicians. Natalie Burger of the Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay and reaches children who lack other access to dental care. "Dental disease in children continues to be the most common chronic disease of childhood," Burger said, urging the committee to oppose repeal.

Health‑policy witnesses disagreed about recent scientific findings. Several witnesses cited recent systematic reviews and studies that raised concerns about neurodevelopmental effects of systemic fluoride exposure during pregnancy or childhood; other witnesses and dental‑public‑health experts cited decades of public‑health studies that support topical fluoride benefits and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of 0.7 milligrams per liter as the community target.

After public testimony, Senator Hill moved to pass the bill; the committee held a roll‑call vote that resulted in a 4‑4 tie. The roll call recorded the following votes: Senator Flippo — yes; Senator Hill — yes; Senator Lading — no; Senator Penzo — yes; Senator Payton — yes; Senator Love — no; Senator Wallace — no; (one senator's vote recorded as "Yes" without name in audible transcript). The chair announced the bill failed because it did not reach the required five yes votes.

Why it matters: The measure would have removed a state requirement that water systems add fluoride, shifting the decision to local governments and water utilities. Proponents argued local control and concerns about systemic exposure; opponents said community fluoridation is a proven, equitable prevention tool that reduces tooth decay especially for populations with limited access to dental care.

What’s next: The bill failed in committee on a tie vote and did not advance. Sponsors signaled interest in additional proposals to address children's dental health that would not rely on a statewide fluoride mandate.