HB 1693-FN-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2016 SESSION
\t16-2316
\t01/04
HOUSE BILL\t1693-FN-LOCAL
AN ACT\tabolishing fluoridation in water.
SPONSORS:\tRep. Marple, Merr. 24; Rep. Eastman, Hills. 28; Rep. Fraser, Belk. 1; Rep. Itse, Rock. 10
COMMITTEE:\tResources, Recreation and Development
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ANALYSIS
\tThis bill prohibits the introduction of fluoride into the drinking water of the state.
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Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.
\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
\t16-2316
\t01/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT\tabolishing fluoridation in water.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
\t1 Use of Fluoride. Amend RSA 485:14 to read as follows:
\t485:14 Use of Fluoride. No fluoride, nor any chemical containing fluoride, shall be introduced into the public water [supply unless and until the municipality or municipalities using said waters have held a public hearing as to the introduction of fluoride into the public water supply of said municipality or municipalities, and the registered voters of such municipality or municipalities have approved such action pursuant to RSA 44:16, RSA 31:17-a, RSA 52:23, or RSA 485:14-a. For purposes of this section "municipality'' means a municipality that has 100 or more user connections that are served from the public water] supply.
\t2 Repeal. The following are repealed:
\t\tI. RSA 31:17-a, relative to referendum on public water supply.
\t\tII. RSA 44:16, relative to public water supplies.
\t\tIII. RSA 52:23, relative to public water in village districts.
\t\tIV. RSA 485:14-a, relative to referendum for public water systems serving more than one political subdivision.
\t\tV. RSA 485:14-b, relative to a fluoride statement.
\t3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t16-2316
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRevised 1/11/16
HB 1693-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT\tabolishing fluoridation in water.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The New Hampshire Municipal Association and Departments of Environmental Services and Health and Human Services state this bill, as introduced, would increase state expenditures and decrease local expenditures and revenue by an indeterminable amount in FY 2017 and each year thereafter. There will be no impact on state, county and local revenue or on local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill would prohibit the introduction of fluoride into any public water supply. The Association assumes this would decrease expenditures to municipalities that currently introduce fluoride into their water supply. The Association states elimination of fluoride in public water supplies is likely to lead to an eventual decline in dental health among residents. The Association is not able to determine the fiscal impact of the bill on local expenditures as it does not have information on how many municipalities fluoridate their water supplies or what the cost is. The Association states there should be no impact on municipal revenues.
The Department of Environmental Services states 10 municipalities serving approximately 289,300 people currently fluoridate their drinking water in accordance with existing statutes. The Department states this bill would halt the practice in these communities and prevent additional communities from fluoridating drinking water. The Department only has information on existing programs and is not aware of other municipalities currently pursuing fluoridation. The Department indicates the State’s fluoridation program resides in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Department of Environmental Services regulates public water systems and coordinates with the DHHS to ensure fluoridation is done properly and in accordance with guidelines established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Department does not have information on the financial impact related to health and limited its fiscal analysis to the 10 municipalities that fluoridate drinking water. Based on information from the CDC, the average annual cost per person for fluoridation is $1.75. The Department does not have water system specific data on the cost of fluoridation. Based on the per person cost of $1.75, the cost to the 10 municipalities with fluoridated water serving approximately 289,300 people is $506,275. The Department assumes, since the cost is passed on to customers, the cost is offset by an equal amount of revenue from consumers.
The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid Business and Policy indicates, according to current medical and dental practice and recommendation, systematic fluoride is considered to be best practice for the prevention of tooth decay and infection for children ages 0-12 years old, and administration of fluoride during this time period helps prevent dental problems later in life. The Department indicates there are 10 communities that place fluoride in the public water supply and 6 additional communities that buy fluoridated water from the City of Manchester. The Department assumes, if the communities stopped fluoridation, children in those communities would receive prescriptions for fluoride supplements from providers since it is considered best practice. The Department states there are 66,698 people in the Medicaid program within the 16 communities and 34,335 people under the age of 21. The Department does not have information on how many of these people are children 0-12 years of age. The average cost of a 30-day prescription for fluoride supplements is $15.83. In addition, the Department cannot quantify the cost of dental visits for decay, pain or infection or for additional fillings and extractions that may result from the lack of fluoride.
The New Hampshire Association of Counties indicates this bill would have no impact on county revenue or expenditures.