Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Two separate bills requiring the total removal of chemical fluoride from public water supplies are set to be heard in Tennessee House and Senate committees on Wednesday of this week.
HB2396/SB0162 is less than one page long and would simply add fluoridating a public water system to the list of prohibited acts concerning water systems under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983.
HB2396 is one of several bills filed by Rep. Michele Reneau in a series aimed at “strengthening public health protection, increasing transparency, and safeguarding families from unnecessary environmental and chemical exposures.” It will be heard in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 4.
SB0162, the Senate companion, is carried by Sen. Joey Hensley and was originally filed last year along with several other pieces of fluoride-related legislation which never made it out of the committee process. This year’s iteration will be heard in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 4.
The second defluoridation bill is SB2304 carried by Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17) and would not only prohibit the addition of fluoride in public water supplies, but also in any bottled water sold in the state.
Any person who fails to comply with the defluoridation and testing requirements for public water systems described in the legislation would be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000-$5,000 per day for each violation.
Additionally, the Commissioner of Agriculture would be empowered to detain or embargo any bottled water suspected of containing added fluoride or falsely representing its natural amount, and violations would be punishable by a $500 civil penalty, with each individual bottle counting as a separate violation.
SB2304 is also set for the Senate Energy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 4.
To contact committee members about either piece of legislation, use the information below:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee– HB2396 to be heard Wednesday, March 4
HB2396 adds fluoridating a public water system to the list of prohibited acts concerning water systems under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983.
Rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov; rep.justin.jones@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.greg.vital@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Energy, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee– SB0162 & SB2304 to be heard Wednesday, March 4
SB0162 adds fluoridating a public water system to the list of prohibited acts concerning water systems under the Tennessee Safe Drinking Water Act of 1983.
SB2304 prohibits the addition of fluoride in public water supplies & any bottled water sold in the state.
Sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jessie.seal@capitol.tn.gov; sen.janice.bowling@capitol.tn.gov; sen.heidi.campbell@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bobby.harshbarger@capitol.tn.gov; sen.charlane.oliver@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
