Lawmakers in Arkansas filed legislation to repeal a state law requiring fluoride in drinking water, according to a Nov. 21 report by Arkansas Advocate.
By repealing the law, local voters will be able to decide whether their community will have fluoride in its water.
In September, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must address the impact that fluoride has on drinking water, but did not ban or limit fluoride to public water drinking supplies.
Dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, stood by their fluoride recommendations after the ruling.
Senate Bill 2 would remove a section of state statute that currently states: "The company, corporation, municipality, county, government agency, or other entity that owns or controls a water system shall control the quantity of fluoride in the water so as to maintain a fluoride content established by the Department of Health."
Senate Bill 4 would allow a city governing body or county quorum court to call an election. If an election did occur, a subsequent election would not be allowed for at least four more years.
Arkansas state Sen. Clint Penzo and state Rep. Matt Duffield of Russellville are the primary sponsors of the bills.