Tennessee Bill Aims to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

State Rep. Michele Reneau introduces legislation to prohibit water utilities from adding fluoride to comply with current state law.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A bill introduced by state Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Hixson, would prohibit water utilities like Tennessee American Water, which supplies Chattanooga with water, from adding fluoride as they do now to comply with current state law. If the measure passes, Tennessee would join Florida and Utah in banning the additive.

Why it matters

The bill is part of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which rejects the medical establishment and aims to reform U.S. food standards. Water fluoridation has been one focus of the MAHA movement, with some arguing that people are getting too much fluoride through ingestion rather than topical application.

The details

Reneau introduced the bill in a slate of legislation aligned with the MAHA agenda, which ranges from banning artificial food dye to amending the state constitution to add a 'right to food.' The bill will likely be discussed Wednesday by members of the House Agriculture Subcommittee, where it has been assigned. Tennessee American Water adds fluoride to water to comply with Tennessee state law, which requires a certain level of the chemical compound be maintained in the state's water.

  • Reneau introduced the bill in March 2026.
  • The bill will be discussed by the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Wednesday.

The players

Rep. Michele Reneau

A Republican state representative from Hixson, Tennessee who introduced the bill to ban fluoride in public drinking water.

Tennessee American Water

The water utility that supplies Chattanooga and other areas of Tennessee with water, and currently adds fluoride to comply with state law.

Rep. Johnny Shaw

A Democratic state representative from Bolivar, Tennessee who is a member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee where the bill will be discussed.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services who coined the phrase 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) to describe his health agenda for the country.

Ruben Rodriguez

A spokesperson for Tennessee American Water.

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What they’re saying

“It's possible, for one, people are getting too much fluoride. If you're using it topically, which is considered the best form of fluoride, through your toothpaste, mouthwash or whatever other topical applications there are. But, to get it when you're ingesting it, you can't control that.”

— Rep. Michele Reneau, State Representative (timesfreepress.com)

“We were always educated that it was in there to protect kids' teeth. Now, the people who want it out say that it does not protect teeth. So what I'm interested in is a window of education about why it's in there. What happens if you take it out?”

— Rep. Johnny Shaw, State Representative (timesfreepress.com)

“The company will modify its local treatment accordingly to comply with any revised regulations. Regarding the proposed legislation, there will be no impact on service.”

— Ruben Rodriguez, Spokesperson (timesfreepress.com)

What’s next

The bill must pass the House Agriculture Subcommittee in order to move forward.

The takeaway

This bill reflects the growing influence of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which seeks to reform U.S. food and health standards, including the use of fluoride in public drinking water. The debate over fluoride's benefits and risks continues, with potential implications for dental health disparities and access to care.