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HCR 113

House concurrent resolution congratulating the winning teams at the 2025 Jr Iron Chef VT competition

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarita Austin and 34 co-sponsors

Requests Hawaii DOH convene a Water Fluoridation Working Group to study best practices, obstacles, and policy options for adding fluoride to public water.

Ceremonial Reading
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Bill Summary · HCR 113

Summary — HCR 113 (2025)

Requesting the Director of Health to convene a Water Fluoridation Working Group

Purpose

HCR 113 is a concurrent resolution asking the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to convene a Water Fluoridation Working Group to study best practices for, and obstacles to, adding fluoride to the State’s public drinking water. The resolution frames the action as a public-health response to oral health challenges (including low insurance coverage and poor scores on recent Pew oral health report cards) and cites the CDC’s position that community water fluoridation is safe and cost‑effective for preventing tooth decay.

Key provisions

  • Requests the Director of Health (or designee) to convene and chair a Water Fluoridation Working Group.
  • Asks the Working Group to:
    • Collaborate on determining best practices for fluoridating public drinking water systems.
    • Identify obstacles to implementation across the State.
    • Prepare a report of findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.
  • Requires the report to be submitted to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.
  • Requests the Working Group to dissolve on June 30, 2026.
  • Directs certified copies of the resolution to DOH and water utility leaders in each county.

Membership (requested)

  • Director of Health (or designee) — Chair
  • Representative from the Board of Water Supply, City & County of Honolulu
  • Representative from the Department of Water, County of Kauai
  • Representative from the Department of Water Supply, County of Maui
  • Representative from the Department of Water Supply, County of Hawaii

Who is affected / potential impacts

  • State and county water utilities (planning, operations, capital and operating costs if fluoridation were pursued)
  • Residents statewide (potential public-health benefits from reduced tooth decay if fluoridation is adopted)
  • Legislature and DOH (policy development; possible future legislative proposals) Note: HCR 113 itself is non‑binding (a concurrent resolution requesting action); it does not mandate fluoridation or appropriations.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025 (offered by Rep. Takayama)
  • Referred to HLT and FIN (referral sheet 22); also had committee consideration and public hearing in April 2025.
  • Committee reported favorably April 24, 2025; placed on Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar May 7, 2025; laid on the table subject to call May 7, 2025.
  • Report due to Legislature: 20 days before Regular Session 2026.
  • Working Group dissolution: June 30, 2026.

Related measures

  • SCR 29 (companion)
  • HR 109 (companion)

This resolution initiates a structured review of fluoridation feasibility and policy options for Hawaii’s public water systems, with a short-term working group tasked to report recommendations (including possible legislation) to the Legislature.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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