BILL REQ. #:  H-0298.1 

Read first time 01/15/2003.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to providing for a public vote on the fluoridation of public water supplies; adding a new section to chapter 35.13A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.17 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.01 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 35.13A RCW to read as follows:
     If a water district adopts an ordinance providing for the fluoridation of a public water supply, it shall submit the ordinance to a vote of the people at a general or special election where it must be approved by a majority of those voting thereon.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35.17 RCW to read as follows:
     If a city or town legislative body adopts an ordinance providing for the fluoridation of a public water supply, it shall submit the ordinance to a vote of the people at a general or special election where it must be approved by a majority of those voting thereon.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.01 RCW to read as follows:
     If a county legislative body adopts an ordinance providing for the fluoridation of a public water supply, it shall submit the ordinance to a vote of the people at a general or special election where it must be approved by a majority of those voting thereon.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.