Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Quality topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears DEES request to create dedicated Water Well Board fund tied to new $100 submission fee
Summary
DEES asked the committee to approve HB1088FNA to create a dedicated, non‑lapsing fund for the Water Well Board and authorize a $100 fee on well construction record submissions so the licensing board can be self-supporting; DEES and the board described historic general‑fund support and the new fee schedule.
Representative (introducing for Representative Donnelly) explained HB1088FNA so the committee could discuss the bill while the prime sponsor was ill. Adam Crapo of the Department of Environmental Services described how the Water Well Board is administratively attached to DEES and historically the general fund covered a staff position the board needs. He said the board adopted a fee schedule tying a new $100 fee to each submitted well construction record; those fees currently were deposited to the general fund and the change would direct them to a dedicated non‑lapsing well fund to make the program self‑sustaining.
Steve Roy, DEES drinking‑water program technical lead, explained the $100 fee would be assessed on each construction record submitted to the Water Well Board database; previously that $100 had not existed. Representative questions focused on the fiscal note (estimated revenue vs. expected expenditures) and use of any excess fee revenue; DEES said any overage would remain in the well fund for future needs and that the board intends to add a position to administer board functions and technical assistance to drillers.
There were no blue‑sheet opponents and members asked clarifying questions about the fee schedule and program staffing. The hearing closed with no objections in the room.
