HB1910 Summary

• Authorizes the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to prepare and administer examinations for applicants seeking water well drilling, pump installation, and related commercial licensing and operator certifications.

• Empowers the Board to inspect wells, boreholes, and pump installations; allows the Board to disapprove use of noncompliant wells and provide notice to owners and drillers, with hearing rights for aggrieved parties.

• Establishes the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund (maintained at $50,000) to pay for remedial actions protecting groundwater from pollution caused by noncompliant or abandoned wells.

• Authorizes the Board to impose administrative penalties up to $5,000 per violation, issue compliance orders, issue emergency orders without notice in cases of imminent danger, and temporarily impound equipment used in unlicensed drilling or for violation of Board orders.

• Allows the Board to involve the Attorney General to collect penalties or compel compliance; provides that collected penalties and proceeds from equipment sales are split between the Regulation Account and the Attorney General's Revolving Fund.