The bill HB270 Engrossed amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the regulation and licensing of water well drillers and related underground drilling activities. Key provisions include the establishment of a two-year licensure period, an increase in licensing fees—$1,000 for an unrestricted license and $500 for restricted and business entity licenses—and a requirement for continuing education, mandating six hours for unrestricted licenses and three hours for restricted licenses. The bill also expands the definition of "driller" to encompass those managing or supervising drilling activities, and it introduces two types of licenses: Unrestricted Water Well Driller's License and Restricted License, each with specific authorizations. Additionally, the Environmental Management Commission is empowered to adopt rules and a fee schedule for water well completion certifications, which cannot exceed $1,000 based on the well's intended use.

Moreover, the bill modifies the authority of the department regarding the refusal, suspension, or revocation of licenses, replacing "board" with "department" throughout the text. It outlines conditions for license denial or revocation, such as failure to meet qualifications or making false statements. The bill also clarifies that drilling activities require a valid license and compliance with regulations, including posting the license on drilling equipment and submitting completion certifications. Penalties for non-compliance are updated, removing previous misdemeanor classifications and fines, and stating that violations will be subject to penalties as per Section 22-22A-5 of the Environmental Management Act. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-24-1, 22-24-2, 22-24-3, 22-24-4, 22-24-5, 22-24-7, 22-24-8, 22-24-11
Engrossed: 22-24-1, 22-24-2, 22-24-3, 22-24-4, 22-24-5, 22-24-7, 22-24-8, 22-24-11