ND
North Dakota House Bill HB1605

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Dakota House Bill HB1605

Introduced
1/20/25  
Refer
1/20/25  

Caption

The prohibition on water fluoridation; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1605 would lead to significant changes in how communities manage their water resources and public health policies. By prohibiting fluoridation, the bill effectively nullifies existing practices that many local governments may have implemented to promote dental health. The legislation also establishes penalties for violations, enforcing compliance through fines for individuals and entities that add fluoride to public water systems. This shift can have implications for public health agencies, as they will need to reassess strategies for combating dental issues in populations reliant on fluoridated water.

Summary

House Bill 1605 proposes a comprehensive prohibition on the addition of fluoride to public water supplies in North Dakota. The bill defines 'fluoride' as any chemical compound that contains the fluoride ion, covering various forms such as sodium fluoride and fluorosilicic acid. The initiative aims to safeguard the public from potential health risks associated with fluoridation, a practice that has been standard in many communities for dental health benefits. This bill is positioned against the backdrop of growing concerns about the potential side effects of fluoride and its impact on public health.

Contention

While some residents may support the bill due to concerns over health implications, others are likely to disagree, citing the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental cavities. This could spark debates among public health officials, dental associations, and community members regarding the efficacy and necessity of fluoridation in water supplies. The bill’s passage would disrupt decades of public health policy aimed at reducing dental caries, potentially creating divisions between advocates for individual choice in medical matters and those who see community health initiatives as essential for overall well-being.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ND SB2253

The onsite wastewater recycling technical committee; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

ND SB2015

A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

ND SB2037

Legislative intent; to provide a penalty; and to provide an expiration date.

ND HB1118

The marriage penalty credit; and to provide an effective date.

ND HB1089

Improving efficiencies in the department of environmental quality; and to provide an effective date.

ND HB1339

A contingent expiration date for concealed weapon provisions; and to provide a penalty.

ND HB1301

Prohibiting medical gender transitioning procedures on a minor; to provide a penalty; and to declare an emergency.

ND HCR3024

Prohibiting the levy of property tax; and to provide an effective date.

ND HB1316

Definitions relating to multipassenger bicycles, driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, open container prohibition, and exempting multipassenger bicycles from the point system; to provide a penalty; and to declare an emergency.

ND HB1548

The public employees retirement system retirement plans; to provide an exemption; to provide a contingent effective date; and to provide an effective date.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.