WATER/WELLS: Requests the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study and evaluate water well drilling licensure requirements

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny McCormick

Louisiana would study current water well drilling licensure to assess sufficiency for public health, groundwater protection, and industry standards, guiding potential reforms.

Withdrawn from the files of the House.

Summary of Bill: HSR 1 (Louisiana, 2026)

What the bill is and its purpose

House Simple Resolution (HSR) 1 from the 2026 session in Louisiana.

Primary aim: Request the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study and evaluate the current licensure requirements for water well drilling.

The resolution signals legislative interest in examining whether existing licensure standards for water well drillers adequately protect public health, groundwater resources, and industry standards, and whether modifications or reforms are warranted.

Key provisions and actions proposed

Notification to committee: Directs the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to initiate a study and evaluation of the water well drilling licensure framework.

Scope of study (implied): While the text of the resolution is not provided in detail, typical scope would include:

Current licensure requirements for water well drillers and drilling contractors.
Application processes, qualifications, certifications, and renewals.
Oversight, enforcement, penalties for noncompliance, and complaint mechanisms.
Safety, environmental protections, and groundwater stewardship considerations.
Training, continuing education, and professional standards.
Potential impacts on rural communities, costs to consumers, and access to licensed drillers.
Comparisons to licensure regimes in other states or regions.

Outcome expectations: The committee would produce findings and recommendations, which could inform future legislation or administrative rulemaking.

Who would be affected

Water well drilling professionals and licensees: Might be subject to any recommended changes in licensure requirements, fees, or ongoing education.

Water well contractors and businesses: Potential changes in licensure application processes, compliance obligations, and enforcement.

General public and groundwater users: Indirectly affected through any proposed enhancements to licensing standards, oversight, and safety practices.

State and local agencies: Involvement through regulatory oversight and potential implementation of any recommended reforms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Action history shows the bill was received by the House on March 11, 2026.

Further action: The resolution was withdrawn from the files of the House on March 16, 2026. This indicates it did not advance to a committee vote or onward consideration during that session, effectively ending its immediate legislative path in that filing.

Co-sponsor: Danny McCormick, indicating initial bipartisan or cross-party sponsorship support (context dependent on chamber dynamics).

Potential impact and considerations

If revived or reintroduced in the future, the study could inform more substantive legislation on licensure reform for water well drillers.

Outcomes could range from minor administrative adjustments to comprehensive licensing reforms, depending on committee findings and subsequent legislative decisions.

The resolution emphasizes a data-informed approach to licensing rather than prescriptive changes, seeking evaluation to guide policy.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposed study to existing Louisiana statutes on water well licensure or outline a brief potential roadmap for a follow-up bill based on common elements found in licensure reform studies.