Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated taking action to protect Florida from fluoride, unauthorized chemical exposure and atmospheric manipulation.
The Republican Florida Governor supported two bills passed by the Florida Legislature aimed at protecting Floridians from unauthorized chemical exposure and atmospheric manipulation.
SB 700 prevents local governments from injecting fluoride into the water supply. Senate Bill 700, the Florida Farm Bill, includes a provision prohibiting local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water. The legislation follows a November 2024 advisory by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo cautioning against community water fluoridation due to potential health risks, particularly for pregnant women and children.
Democrats disagreed with banning fluoridation from public drinking water in Florida. “Optimal level water fluoridation has been recognized as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century,” said State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat. “We are going backwards.”
Republicans in the House shot down several proposed amendments to the measure, including one by Democratic State Representative Anna Eskamani, who is running for Orlando Mayor in 2027, tried to offer an amendment to protect fluoridation in Florida, but Republicans in the legislature rejected her attempt. Rep. Eskamani said that removing fluoride ignores basic scientific concerns.
The Republican Governor said with wide access to topical fluoride, there is no need to medicate entire communities without their consent. “Informed consent—not forced medication—is the Florida way,” Governor DeSantis said.
Senate Bill 56 repeals the state’s ability to issue permits for geoengineering and weather modification. The bill also prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity. Those who violate the SB 56 law face third-degree felony charges, up to five years in prison, and fines up to $100,000.
The bill also includes key enforcement provisions. Beginning October 1, 2025, all publicly owned airports must report the presence of any aircraft equipped with weather modification or geoengineering equipment to the Florida Department of Transportation. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Protection will launch a public reporting portal to identify suspected violations which will launch this summer.
“Today I was in Miami to support SB 700, which bans local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water,” Governor Ron DeSantis said earlier this month. “In addition to this, I also reiterated in Miami that Florida is not a testing ground for geoengineering. We already do not permit this activity, and I will be signing SB 56 to prohibit the practice in our skies. The Free State of Florida means freedom from governments or private actors unilaterally applying chemicals or geoengineering to people or public spaces.”
Republicans said these measures reinforce Florida’s commitment to protecting public health, preserving individual choice, and ensuring no government or corporation can unilaterally impose environmental or chemical risks on the public.
