HB1503 • 2026

Department of Health; prohibit from requiring fluoridation in water systems.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-26-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH SHALL NOT REQUIRE COMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS, NONTRANSIENT, NONCOMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS, PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS OR SEMI-PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS TO FLUORIDATE WATER OR TO ACQUIRE AND INSTALL FLUORIDATION TREATMENT EQUIPMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Clark, Nelson
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Department of Health Cannot Require Water Fluoridation

This bill stops the State Board of Health from making public water systems add fluoride to their water or buy equipment for it.

What This Bill Does

Changes a part of Mississippi's law about how the State Board of Health can control public water systems.
Says that the board cannot force community, nontransient noncommunity, public, or semi-public water systems to add fluoride to their water.
Also says the board cannot make these water systems buy and install equipment for adding fluoride.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Board of Health
Community, nontransient noncommunity, public, and semi-public water systems

Terms To Know

fluoridation: Adding fluoride to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay.
public water system: A system that provides piped water to at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves twenty-five or more people for at least sixty days a year.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, but since it didn't pass, this date is no longer relevant.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (H) Referred To Public Health and Human Services

Official Summary Text

Department of Health; prohibit from requiring fluoridation in water systems.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1503 *HR26/R2243* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R2243
PAGE 1 (RF\KW)

To: Public Health and Human
Services
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representatives Clark, Nelson

HOUSE BILL NO. 1503

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-26-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH SHALL NOT REQUIRE COMMUNITY 2
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS, NONTRANSIENT, NONCOMMUNITY PUBLIC WATER 3
SYSTEMS, PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS OR SEMI-PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS TO 4
FLUORIDATE WATER OR TO ACQUIRE AND INSTALL FLUORIDATION TREATMENT 5
EQUIPMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. Section 41-26-6, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 8
amended as follows: 9
41-26-6. (1) The board may adopt rules and regulations 10
governing public water systems, but those rules and regulations 11
shall, except as expressly required by law, be no more stringent 12
or extensive in scope, coverage and effect than regulations 13
promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 14
(2) If federal regulations do not provide a standard, 15
criteria or guidance addressing public water systems, the board 16
may promulgate rules and regulations to address these matters when 17
the board determines that the rules and regulations are necessary 18
to protect the public health and welfare. 19
H. B. No. 1503 *HR26/R2243* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R2243
PAGE 2 (RF\KW)
ST: Department of Health; prohibit from
requiring fluoridation in water systems.
(3) Nothing in this section, except subsection (4), shall 20
prohibit the director by order or in the approval of plans for 21
construction or changes from placing additional requirements on a 22
public water system on a case-by-case basis in order to provide 23
for the quantity and quality of drinking water or to protect the 24
public health and welfare. 25
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the 26
board shall not require a community public water system, a 27
nontransient, noncommunity public water system, a public water 28
system or a semi-public water system to fluoridate its water or to 29
acquire and install fluoridation treatment equipment. 30
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 31
and after July 1, 2026. 32