The bill amends Arkansas law regarding public water systems to allow voters the opportunity to decide whether or not to fluoridate the water supplied by these systems. It introduces a new section, 14-116-108, which outlines the process for holding an election on water fluoridation. Customers of a public water system can initiate an election through a petition signed by at least five percent of the voters in the county or by a majority vote of the county's quorum court. The election must occur at the next general election, and subsequent elections cannot be held more frequently than every four years. The ballot will present the question of fluoridation in a specified format, and if a majority of voters in the majority of counties opt against fluoridation, the public water system must cease fluoridation within thirty days of the election results.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language in Arkansas Code 20-7-136(b) regarding the control of fluoride levels in water systems. It clarifies that while the entity controlling the water system is responsible for maintaining fluoride levels, the board of a public water system may choose to prohibit fluoridation. However, the results of the newly established election process will take precedence over any board decisions regarding fluoridation. This change emphasizes the role of public input in determining water fluoridation policies.

Statutes affected:
SB 282: 20-7-136(b)