Brief Description: Requiring a vote on any local ordinance providing for fluoridation.

Sponsors: Representatives Campbell, Bush and Rockefeller.

Hearing Date: 2/12/03

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

A variety of local government entities, including water-sewer districts, counties, and cities may operate and regulate public water supply systems.

Water-sewer district powers include, among others, the authority to purchase, construct, maintain, and supply waterworks to furnish an ample supply of water to inhabitants within and outside of the district. Water-sewer districts have full authority to regulate and control the use, content, distribution, and price of the supplied water in a manner consistent with legal provisions.

State law also provides that construction, operation, and maintenance of a water system is a county purpose. Subject to legal provisions, counties may, among other related authorities, establish, construct, maintain, control, and regulate water supply systems that supply water within all or a portion of the county.

The council of a city organized under the commission form of government may also provide for the erection, purchase, or other acquiring of waterworks within or outside the corporate limits of the city to supply the city and its inhabitants with water. The city council also has the authority to regulate and control the use and price of the supplied water.

A specific authorization granted in present law allows the elected board of commissioners of a water-sewer district to, by majority vote, fluoridate the water supply system of the district. The commissioners may submit a fluoridation proposition to the voters of the district at any general or special election. The proposition must be approved by a majority of the voters to become effective.

Summary of Bill:

Water-sewer districts, counties, and cities organized under the commission form of government that adopt an ordinance providing for the fluoridation of a public water supply must submit the ordinance to voters for approval. The ordinance must be approved by a majority of the jurisdiction's voters at a general or special election.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.