Approval, reporting, and fee requirements for certain wells. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Current law requires a person to obtain approval from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and pay a $500 fee before constructing a high capacity well, which is a well that, together with all other wells on the same property, has the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of water per day. In some cases, before approving a proposed high capacity well, DNR must ensure that the well will not have a significant adverse effect on certain springs or surface water bodies. The law also requires the owner of a high capacity well to submit an annual report on the amount of water pumped. Current law requires a person who wishes to construct a well that is not a high capacity well to notify DNR and pay a $50 fee.

This bill provides that a well of any capacity used primarily for fire protection purposes or used primarily to provide water to a single-family or multifamily residence located on the same property as the well is not a high capacity well. The bill also provides that an existing residential well or fire protection well is not included in the 100,000 gallon-per-day threshold when determining whether a new well to be constructed on the same property is a high capacity well.

Who's behind it

2 senators are its authors⁠. All 2 are Republicans.

12 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DNR

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories