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HLS 26RS-287 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE STUDY REQUEST NO. 1
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK
WATER/WELLS: Requests the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment
to study and evaluate water well drilling licensure requirements
1 A STUDY REQUEST
2 To the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study the rules and
3 regulations governing the licensure of water well drillers, to evaluate whether such
4 requirements may be modified to reduce undue burdens on applicants, and to report
5 its findings to the House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2027
6 Regular Session.
7 WHEREAS, the water resources of the state are a vital natural resource essential to
8 public health, safety, and economic well-being; and
9 WHEREAS, ensuring that water wells are installed by qualified water well drillers
10 is a critical component in safeguarding and conserving our state's water resources; and
11 WHEREAS, every person, firm, or corporation engaged or desiring to engage in the
12 business of drilling water wells is required by law to be licensed; and
13 WHEREAS, in order to obtain a water well driller license, an applicant must meet
14 certain requirements set forth by the laws and regulations of this state; and
15 WHEREAS, one of the requirements under R.S. 38:3098.1 is that an applicant must
16 have a minimum of two years of drilling experience; and
17 WHEREAS, another requirement contained in LAC 46.XXXVI.507 is for an
18 applicant to have two reference forms completed by licensed water well drillers; and
19 WHEREAS, licensed water well drillers who are eligible to serve as references are
20 often current or prospective competitors of applicants seeking licensure; and
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HLS 26RS-287 ORIGINAL
HSR NO. 1
1 WHEREAS, reliance on references from possible future competitors may discourage
2 otherwise qualified applicants from seeking licensure; and
3 WHEREAS, regulatory requirements that create unnecessary barriers to entry into
4 the profession may reduce workforce availability; and
5 WHEREAS, reducing or modifying certain licensing requirements while maintaining
6 professional qualifications will encourage more individuals to become licensed water well
7 drillers and strengthen the state's water infrastructure; and
8 WHEREAS, the state seeks to encourage entry into the water well drilling profession
9 and to grow the number of licensed water well drillers serving communities throughout the
10 state.
11 THEREFORE, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana requests
12 the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study statutory provisions
13 and the rules and regulations governing the licensure of water well drillers, including all
14 statutory and administrative requirements, and to evaluate whether such requirements may
15 be modified to reduce undue burdens on applicants.
16 THEREFORE, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana requests
17 the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study and evaluate whether
18 the water well driller licensure requirements of two years of drilling experience and two
19 professional references may be made less burdensome.
20 THEREFORE, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana requests
21 the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to report its findings to the
22 House of Representatives prior to the convening of the 2027 Regular Session.
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)]
HSR 1 Original 2026 Regular Session McCormick
Requests the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment to study the rules
and regulations governing licensure of water well drillers, to evaluate whether such
requirements may be modified to reduce undue burdens on applicants, and to report its
findings to the House of Representatives prior to the 2027 R.S.
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