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Senate approves measure letting local voters decide on water fluoridation
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Summary
The Senate passed a bill to repeal mandatory fluoridation and require local votes to remove fluoridation where it exists; sponsor cited studies and a court decision as part of floor remarks. Final passage recorded 26–7.
The Louisiana Senate on April 8 approved a bill to repeal the state’s mandatory fluoridation requirement and to give local governments the option to remove fluoridation by public vote. The bill’s sponsor described the measure as restoring local choice for communities that do not want fluoride in drinking water.
Sponsor Senator Fazie summarized research and legal actions he said supported the change and described the bill’s amendment requiring local votes in places that currently have fluoridation. "Fluoride poses a risk to human health," the sponsor said, citing a district court decision and urging the chamber to allow local opt-outs by vote of the people.
Supporters framed the bill as restoring local control; critics in committee had emphasized that current law would otherwise force jurisdictions to opt out and then opt back in. The adopted amendment clarified that communities that already have fluoridation would not be stripped of it automatically; a local vote would be required to remove it.
The Senate recorded 26 yeas and 7 nays on final passage. The bill’s next steps follow the legislature’s rules for enacted measures and any implementing actions by the Department of Health and affected municipalities.
