This bill seeks to enhance the regulatory framework for well drilling and the installation of water well pumps, pitless units, and monitoring wells in North Dakota. It introduces new standards that mandate compliance with rules established by the Department of Environmental Quality for all related construction and installation activities. Additionally, the bill establishes a task force to review the efficiency of various boards and commissions, aiming to streamline government operations, with a report due by October 1, 2026. The bill also includes amendments to the North Dakota Century Code, such as the removal of certain advisory committees and the restructuring of responsibilities within the Department of Health and Human Services, while emphasizing the importance of improving health information technology infrastructure through a revolving loan fund.

Moreover, the bill introduces a new section that sets requirements for firms engaged in water well work, mandating that only certified contractors can oversee these operations, although individuals may perform these activities on their own premises without certification. It also amends existing sections to clarify the powers and duties of the Department of Water Resources, including the establishment of a weather modification research program and the issuance of licenses for weather modification operations. Key changes include redefining the "board" to the "board of water resources," allowing for emergency modifications of permit conditions, and establishing district operations advisory committees to evaluate weather modification activities. The bill aims to modernize and improve the management of water well and health services while ensuring compliance with updated standards.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-02-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 34-16-01, 34-16-02, 38-14.1-02, 38-14.1-14, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1
Adopted by the Senate State and Local Government Committee: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-34, 54-59-36, 54-59-37, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-08, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-34, 54-59-36, 54-59-37, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-08, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1
Adopted by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-34, 54-59-36, 54-59-37, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-08, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1
Adopted by the Conference Committee: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-34, 54-59-36, 54-59-37, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-08, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1
Enrollment: 6-09-43, 15.1-01-04, 15.1-07-33, 23-35-02.2, 50-06-01.4, 52-02-02, 52-02-08, 54-07-01.2, 54-54-05, 54-59-26, 54-59-27, 54-59-34, 54-59-36, 54-59-37, 54-59-39, 61-03-01.3, 61-04.1-03, 61-04.1-08, 61-04.1-09, 61-04.1-12, 61-04.1-14, 61-04.1-15, 61-04.1-16, 61-04.1-17, 61-04.1-18, 61-04.1-19, 61-04.1-20, 61-04.1-21, 61-04.1-33, 61-04.1-34, 61-04.1-37, 61-04.1-38, 61-04.1-39, 65-02-03.1