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HLS 26RS-1790 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 46
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK
WATER/WELLS: Urges and requests the Department of Conservation and Energy to study
and evaluate water well drilling licensure requirements
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Department of Conservation and Energy to study and evaluate the
3 rules and regulations governing the licensure of water well drillers and to report its
4 findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
5 WHEREAS, the water resources of the state are a vital natural resource essential to
6 public health, safety, and economic well-being; and
7 WHEREAS, ensuring that water wells are installed by qualified water well drillers
8 is a critical component in safeguarding and conserving our state's water resources; and
9 WHEREAS, every person, firm, or corporation engaged or desiring to engage in the
10 business of drilling water wells is required by law to be licensed; and
11 WHEREAS, in order to obtain a water well driller license an applicant must meet
12 certain requirements set forth by the laws and regulations of this state; and
13 WHEREAS, one of the requirements under R.S. 38:3098.1 is that an applicant must
14 have a minimum of two years of drilling experience; and
15 WHEREAS, another requirement contained in LAC 46.LXXXIX.507 is for an
16 applicant to have two reference forms completed by licensed water well drillers; and
17 WHEREAS, licensed water well drillers who are eligible to serve as references are
18 often current or prospective competitors of applicants seeking licensure; and
19 WHEREAS, reliance on references from possible future competitors may discourage
20 otherwise qualified applicants from seeking licensure; and
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HLS 26RS-1790 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 46
1 WHEREAS, regulatory requirements that create unnecessary barriers to entry into
2 the profession may reduce workforce availability; and
3 WHEREAS, reducing or modifying certain licensing requirements while maintaining
4 professional qualifications will encourage more individuals to become licensed water well
5 drillers and strengthen the state's water infrastructure; and
6 WHEREAS, the state seeks to encourage entry into the water well drilling profession
7 and to grow the number of licensed water well drillers serving communities throughout the
8 state.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
10 Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Conservation and
11 Energy to study statutory and administrative rules and regulations governing the licensure
12 of water well drillers, and to evaluate whether such requirements may be modified to reduce
13 undue burdens on applicants, including the requirements of two years of drilling experience
14 and two professional references.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Conservation and Energy
16 shall provide a written report detailing its findings to the House Committee on Natural
17 Resources and Environment not later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2027
18 Regular Session of the Legislature.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
20 secretary of the Department of Conservation and Energy.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 46 Original 2026 Regular Session McCormick
Urges and requests the Dept. of Conservation and Energy to study and evaluate the rules and
regulations governing the licensure of water well drillers and to provide a written report
detailing its findings to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment not
later than 60 days prior to the convening of the 2027 R.S.
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