SALT LAKE CITY — A Davis County-driven bill to force suppliers to verify the quality of products used to fluoridate county water systems has run into a logjam in the Legislature.

A Senate committee chose not to vote on HB 72, sponsored by Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, effectively stalling a bill that would have imposed another layer of bureaucracy, say several committee members. The bill stays in committee unless the group votes to move it forward.

Dubbed the Safe Water Disclosure Act,’ the legislation was run at the behest of Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings after he was unable to get all of the documentation from a chemical supplier to provide a paper trail showing it meets federal guidelines. Middle men in the delivery process claim they meet the guidelines, but have not provided that documentation, according to Barrus

Barrus said the bill was not about fluoridation, but not all committee members were buying that explanation.

Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, said he sees the bill as purely anti-fluoridation.

“This is a solution looking for a problem. For that reason, I think it is overkill.”

You’re putting government back in the middle of a process that is working just fine.”

Davis County Health Director Lewis Garrett said there is no evidence the quality of county water is in jeopardy. He said the bill would simply be another layer of verification. “I’m not opposed to it as long as it’s not a burden on the health department,” he said.

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, was incredulous that the county was having any problem getting documentation from its suppliers. He said his business is required to document everything they sell.

“I’m a little surprised that isn’t automatic in your chain, some sort of safety data sheet.”