HB 4200 Summary

• Amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to establish a groundwater dispute resolution process for conflicts between small-quantity wells and high-capacity wells.

• Allows small-quantity well owners to file complaints alleging potential groundwater disputes if their wells fail to provide normal water supply or potable water and they believe a high-capacity well caused the problem.

• Requires directors of the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to investigate complaints within specified timeframes, conduct on-site evaluations, and attempt to resolve disputes within 14 days.

• Makes agricultural irrigation well owners mandatory participants in the dispute resolution process, while allowing other high-capacity well owners to opt out within 3 days of receiving complaint notification.

• Establishes toll-free facsimile and telephone lines for complaint submission and information requests, and requires complainants with more than 2 unverified complaints within 1 year to pay investigation costs for subsequent complaints.