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Panel weighs bill to require surety bond and closure rules for new wells; commissioners split on using state engineer for enforcement
Summary
A draft bill to change well‑drilling procedures drew testimony on Oct. 14 as legislators and industry debated requiring a surety bond and earlier start‑card timing for new wells.
A draft bill to change well‑drilling procedures drew extensive testimony and divided comments Oct. 14 as the Legislative Water Development Commission considered a proposal to require a surety bond and to tighten start‑card timing.
Representative (presenter identified in transcript as) introduced the draft and said it would require the person requesting a well to post a bond or surety held by the state engineer and would change timing so a start card must be requested 90 days before drilling. The draft would also require that when a replacement well is drilled the old well be properly closed.
Paul Johnson, a licensed well driller who said he has drilled since 1976, told the commission the current business model is “truly flawed” and recounted repeated cases in which…
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