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Committee hears bill to raise water‑well contractor bonds and change disciplinary rules
Summary
Lawmakers considered HB 59, which would clarify who may contract on behalf of water‑well companies, raise required bonds to $25,000, and remove language that can block disciplinary action when a licensee is denied property access. Proponents from DNRC and the drilling industry supported the changes; some drillers warned the discipline language could be abused without due process.
Representative Mike Vinton opened House Bill 59 as a technical and consumer‑protection measure to update the Board of Water Well Contractors statute and to align bond requirements with current drilling costs.
Todd Netto, bureau chief at DNRC's Adjudication, Enforcement and Distribution Bureau, testified the measure seeks four primary changes: remove a requirement that the licensed water well contractor must personally sign contracts on behalf of firms, clarify license coverage for different types of well work, raise contractor bond amounts to $25,000 for both individuals and businesses, and remove language that can prevent the board from initiating disciplinary action…
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