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SB 2304

Water - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Fluoride-Free Water Act" to prohibit public water systems from adding fluoride to drinking water, prohibit sales of bottled water containing added fluoride, and requires certain actions for naturally occurring fluoride that exceeds certain levels in drinking water and bottled water. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18; Title 53 and Title 68, Chapter 221.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Tennessee bill prohibits public water systems from adding fluoride to drinking water and bans fluoridated bottled water sales, reversing standard public health practice.

Placed on Senate Energy, Ag., and Nat. Resources Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 2304

Legislative bill overview

SB 2304 would prohibit Tennessee public water systems from adding fluoride to drinking water and ban the sale of bottled water with added fluoride. The bill also establishes requirements for managing naturally occurring fluoride levels that exceed specified thresholds in both drinking water and bottled water products.

Why is this important

Water fluoridation is a public health measure supported by major medical organizations (ADA, CDC, WHO) as effective cavity prevention, particularly benefiting low-income populations with limited dental access. This bill would reverse decades of fluoridation policy and potentially affect millions of Tennesseans' dental health outcomes, while also creating new regulatory compliance burdens for water systems and beverage producers.

Potential points of contention

  • Public health evidence: The bill contradicts mainstream dental and medical consensus on fluoridation's safety and effectiveness, which could create liability and credibility questions
  • Implementation costs: Water systems would face expenses to remove fluoridation infrastructure and modify treatment processes, with costs potentially passed to ratepayers
  • Natural fluoride management: The bill's requirements for managing naturally occurring fluoride create undefined regulatory obligations that may be technically or economically challenging for smaller water systems
  • Bottled water market impact: A prohibition on added fluoride in bottled water could create competitive disadvantages for Tennessee producers versus out-of-state competitors

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

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