LRB-2260/1
RNK:sbb&nwn:rs
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
July 22, 2011 - Introduced by Senators Kedzie, Olsen and Taylor, cosponsored by
Representatives A. Ott, Brooks, Clark, Petryk and Spanbauer. Referred to
Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
SB156,1,4
1An Act to renumber and amend 280.15 (2m) (b), 280.15 (3g) (b) and 280.17;
2to amend 280.01 (6) and 280.01 (8); and
to repeal and recreate chapter 280
3(title) of the statutes;
relating to: regulation of geothermal well drillers and
4granting rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates, and
issues business registrations and individual licenses for, well drillers. DNR requires
well drilling businesses to be registered, and individual well drillers to be licensed,
in order to engage in certain ground excavation activities that are undertaken for the
purpose of obtaining groundwater for human consumption.
This bill expands the current law regulating well drillers so that it also applies
to businesses and individuals who engage in certain ground excavation activities
undertaken for the purpose of a geothermal heat exchange system.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB156, s. 1
5Section
1. Chapter 280 (title) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
SB156,2,22
Well drilling and pump installing
SB156, s. 2
3Section
2. 280.01 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB156,2,84
280.01
(6) "Well" means
an a drillhole or other excavation or opening into the
5ground
made by digging, boring, drilling, driving or other methods that is deeper
6than it is wide, that extends more than 10 feet below the ground surface, and that
7is constructed for the purpose of obtaining groundwater
for human consumption or
8that is constructed as part of a geothermal heat exchange system.
SB156, s. 3
9Section
3. 280.01 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB156,2,1610
280.01
(8) "Well drilling" means the industry and procedure employed in
11obtaining groundwater from a well
, or in constructing a well for the purpose of a
12geothermal heat exchange system, by digging, boring, drilling, driving
, or other
13methods but not including the driving of points for the purpose of obtaining ground
14water.
It shall also include "Well drilling" includes all construction work and
15installation of well casings
in said well involved therein for the protection of
such well
16water against pollution.
SB156, s. 4
17Section
4. 280.15 (2m) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 280.15 (2m) (b) (intro.)
18and amended to read:
SB156,2,2019
280.15
(2m) (b)
Renewal. (intro.) In order to retain his or her license as a well
20driller or pump installer an individual shall
comply
do all of the following:
SB156,3,2
211. Comply with requirements for continuing education promulgated by the
22department by rule
and shall apply. The continuing education requirements
23promulgated by the department under this subdivision shall require an individual
24who engages in well drilling for the purpose of obtaining geothermal energy to have
25training, as specified by the department, both in drilling wells for obtaining
1groundwater and in drilling wells for the purpose of a geothermal heat exchange
2system.
SB156,3,4
32. Apply for license renewal and pay the required license fees under par. (c)
4annually on or before January 1.
SB156, s. 5
5Section
5. 280.15 (3g) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 280.15 (3g) (b) (intro.)
6and amended to read:
SB156,3,87
280.15
(3g) (b)
Renewal. (intro.) In order to retain registration as a drilling
8rig operator an individual shall
complete do all of the following:
SB156,3,9
91. Complete training approved by the department
and comply.
SB156,3,17
102. Comply with requirements for continuing education promulgated by the
11department by rule
and shall apply. The continuing education requirements
12promulgated by the department under this subdivision shall require an individual
13who operates a drilling rig with regard to drilling wells for the purpose of a
14geothermal heat exchange system to have training, as specified by the department,
15in drilling rig operation both with regard to drilling wells for obtaining groundwater
16and with regard to drilling wells for the purpose of a geothermal heat exchange
17system.
SB156,3,19
183. Apply for registration renewal and pay a fee of $25 annually on or before
19January 1.
SB156, s. 6
20Section
6. 280.17 of the statutes is renumbered 280.17 (intro.) and amended
21to read:
SB156,3,24
22280.17 Exceptions. (intro.) The provisions of this chapter
shall do not apply
23to the construction of
wells where the water is used only a well if all of the following
24apply:
SB156,4,2
1(1) The well is used only to obtain groundwater for stock watering
and other
2similar or for a domestic
purposes and purpose similar to stock watering.
SB156,4,3
3(2) The well is not used
to obtain groundwater for human consumption.
SB156,4,65
(1)
This act takes effect on the first day of the 8th month beginning after
6publication.