Bill > SB4

This bill allows customers of public water systems in Arkansas to vote on whether to fluoridate their water supply through a local election process. The bill establishes detailed procedures for how such an election can be initiated, including through majority votes by water system boards, city councils, county quorum courts, or by a petition signed by at least 10% of qualified voters. The election would be held at the next general election, with a requirement that subsequent elections on fluoridation cannot occur within four years of a previous vote. The ballot will present a clear "for" or "against" fluoridation option, and if a majority votes against fluoridation, the water system must cease adding fluoride within 30 days of certifying the election results. The bill defines a public water system as a facility supplying water to 5,000 or more persons and modifies existing state law to allow these local voter-driven decisions about water fluoridation. This legislation provides local communities more direct control over a public health practice that has been historically mandated at the state level.

Government Affairs

https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb4&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R