HB 585-FN-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2017 SESSION
17-0355
01/04
HOUSE BILL 585-FN-LOCAL
AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.
SPONSORS: Rep. Fraser, Belk. 1; Rep. Itse, Rock. 10; Rep. Marple, Merr. 24
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
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This bill prohibits the introduction of fluoride into the drinking water of the state.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
17-0355
01/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Use of Fluoride. Amend RSA 485:14 to read as follows:
485:14 Use of Fluoride. No fluoride, or 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.
2 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. RSA 31:17-a, relative to referendum on public water supply.
II. RSA 44:16, relative to public water supplies.
III. RSA 52:23, relative to public water in village districts.
IV. RSA 485:14-a, relative to referendum for public water systems serving more than one political subdivision.
V. RSA 485:14-b, relative to a fluoride statement.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
17-0355
1/20/17
HB 585-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT abolishing fluoridation in water.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ X ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other | |||
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LOCAL: |
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Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill prohibits the use of fluoride or any chemical containing fluoride in public water supplies. According to the Department of Environmental Services, there are currently 10 municipalities serving 289,300 people that fluoridate their drinking water and there are no counties adding fluoride to public water systems. The Department estimates the average annual per person cost to fluoridate water is approximately $1.75 based on federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Consequently, the Department estimates this bill will result in an approximately $506,275 decrease in local expenditures within the 10 communities currently fluoridating their water ($289,300 * $1.75 = $506,275).
The New Hampshire Municipal Association states this bill will decrease local expenditures by an indeterminable amount as municipalities will no longer purchase fluoride to add to public water supplies.
The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill may increase state expenditures related to the medicaid program. The Department assumes there are 10 municipalities fluoridating public water supplies and another six communities that purchase fluoridated water from Manchester. The Department's understanding is that according to current medical and dental practice and recommendation, systemic fluoride is considered best practice for the prevention of tooth decay and infection for children aged 12 and under. The cost to prescribe fluoride supplements annually to these Medicaid recipients would be approximately $190 annually. There are 66,193 people in the Medicaid program within the aforementioned communities that would no longer add fluoride to their water supplies under this bill, 33,784 of which are 0-21 years old. At the time of issuing this fiscal note, data was unavailable to determine;
However, if 10 percent of the 33,784 medicaid recipients living in areas that currently fluoridate their water were to receive fluoride supplements, then Medicaid costs would increase annual by about $642,000 (33,784 * 10% * $190). A portion of these Medicaid costs would be paid for by the federal government. The Department assumes any costs would be incurred in FY 2019.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Environmental Services, New Hampshire Municipal Association, Department of Health and Human Services, and New Hampshire Association of Counties
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2017 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 14, 2017 | House | Exec Session |
| March 8, 2017 | House | Floor Vote |
: Died on Table
March 23, 2017: Remove from Table (Rep. Fraser): MF DV 78-267 03/23/2017 HJ 11 P. 25
March 9, 2017: Lay on Table (Rep. J. Belanger): MA VV 03/09/2017 HJ 10 P. 72
March 8, 2017: Removed from Consent (Rep. McConnell) 03/08/2017 HJ 9 P. 7
March 8, 2017: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 03/08/2017 (Vote 19-1; CC)
Feb. 14, 2017: Executive Session: 02/14/2017 10:30 AM LOB 301
Feb. 14, 2017: Public Hearing: 02/14/2017 10:00 AM LOB 301
Jan. 5, 2017: Introduced 01/05/2017 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 3 P. 20