BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 3153

By: Sheffield

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties contend that any change to the fluoridation levels of a public water source is a matter of public health and well-being that warrants disclosure and transparency. H.B. 3153 seeks to address this issue by providing a notice requirement for such a change.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 3153 amends the Health and Safety Code to prohibit an owner, agent, manager, operator, or other person in charge of a public water supply system that furnishes for public or private use drinking water containing added fluoride from reducing the amount of fluoride in the water or terminating the fluoridation of the water unless the owner, agent, manager, operator, or person provides written notice to the customers of the system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Department of State Health Services of the reduction or termination at least 60 days before the reduction or termination.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.