BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2653 By: Hall Health & Human Services 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Recent discussions about the negative impacts of excessive fluoride have highlighted potential public health concerns related to chronic illness. Studies show that excess amounts can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, joint-related problems, and other chronic issues. Fluoride is widely and easily accessible through toothpastes, mints, tablets, and many other substances. If an individual makes the decision that fluoride does not pose a risk to them, and desires to supplement it for themselves, they have the choice to do so. Not only is it therefore unnecessary for fluoride to be added to our water supply, but it suffocates an individual's ability to choose for themselves in this matter. Until we know with more certainty the truth about fluoride, it should not be allowed to be distributed to Texans on such a broad scale, with little to no information provided to nor consent obtained from those who are consuming it. As proposed, S.B. 2653 amends current law relating to the prohibition on water fluoridation and creates a penalty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 5, Chapter 341, Subchapter A, Texas Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 341.033(j), as follows: Sec. 341.033. (j) FLUORIDE INTRODUCTION PROHIBITED. (a) Defines "commission," "fluoride," and "public water supply." (b) Prohibits a person from adding or causing to be added any form of fluoride to any public water supply for the purpose of fluoridation, regardless of the intended concentration. (c) Provides that this section does not apply to any water treatment process where fluoride is naturally occurring in a water source or the use of fluoride for an industrial or manufacturing process not related to public water treatment. (d) Provides that a person in violation of this section is subject to a fine of five hundred dollars, and subject to a fine of one thousand dollars for a subsequent violation. (e) Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to enforce this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2653
By: Hall
Health & Human Services
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2653
By: Hall
Health & Human Services
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Recent discussions about the negative impacts of excessive fluoride have highlighted potential public health concerns related to chronic illness. Studies show that excess amounts can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, joint-related problems, and other chronic issues. Fluoride is widely and easily accessible through toothpastes, mints, tablets, and many other substances. If an individual makes the decision that fluoride does not pose a risk to them, and desires to supplement it for themselves, they have the choice to do so. Not only is it therefore unnecessary for fluoride to be added to our water supply, but it suffocates an individual's ability to choose for themselves in this matter. Until we know with more certainty the truth about fluoride, it should not be allowed to be distributed to Texans on such a broad scale, with little to no information provided to nor consent obtained from those who are consuming it.
Recent discussions about the negative impacts of excessive fluoride have highlighted potential public health concerns related to chronic illness. Studies show that excess amounts can cause dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, bone damage, osteoporosis, muscular damage, fatigue, joint-related problems, and other chronic issues. Fluoride is widely and easily accessible through toothpastes, mints, tablets, and many other substances. If an individual makes the decision that fluoride does not pose a risk to them, and desires to supplement it for themselves, they have the choice to do so. Not only is it therefore unnecessary for fluoride to be added to our water supply, but it suffocates an individual's ability to choose for themselves in this matter. Until we know with more certainty the truth about fluoride, it should not be allowed to be distributed to Texans on such a broad scale, with little to no information provided to nor consent obtained from those who are consuming it.
As proposed, S.B. 2653 amends current law relating to the prohibition on water fluoridation and creates a penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 5, Chapter 341, Subchapter A, Texas Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 341.033(j), as follows:
Sec. 341.033. (j) FLUORIDE INTRODUCTION PROHIBITED. (a) Defines "commission," "fluoride," and "public water supply."
(b) Prohibits a person from adding or causing to be added any form of fluoride to any public water supply for the purpose of fluoridation, regardless of the intended concentration.
(c) Provides that this section does not apply to any water treatment process where fluoride is naturally occurring in a water source or the use of fluoride for an industrial or manufacturing process not related to public water treatment.
(d) Provides that a person in violation of this section is subject to a fine of five hundred dollars, and subject to a fine of one thousand dollars for a subsequent violation.
(e) Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to enforce this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.