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House passes bill letting shareholders of private water companies vote on additives; debate spotlights fluoride, costs
Summary
The House approved first substitute Senate Bill 29 to let shareholders of private, mutual water companies vote on optional additives (likely fluoride) in their systems. Supporters framed it as protecting shareholder choice; opponents, including dentists, warned it could reduce fluoridation and public-health benefits. The bill passed 60–11.
Representative Painter introduced first substitute Senate Bill 29, describing it as a targeted change for privately held, shareholder water companies. "What this bill does is relates to an optional additive that may or may not be put into a chemical that may or may not be added to a private water company's water system," Painter said, explaining that shareholders would be able to vote whether the additive is included in their functionally separate system.
Opponents emphasized public-health benefits tied to fluoridation.…
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