HB270 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Matthew HammettRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Alabama Department of Environmental Management; water well drillers, licenses and licensees, fees therefore, revised and further provides for; continuing education required
Summary: HB270 revamps Alabama's water well drilling licensing by creating two license types, raising fees, extending licensure to two years, requiring continuing education, and giving the Environmental Management Commission authority to set rules and fees.
What This Bill Does
It creates two license types: an Unrestricted Water Well Driller's License for full drilling and related work, and a Restricted License for specialty drilling or pump work. Licenses will be valid for two years, with higher upfront fees ($1,000 for unrestricted, $500 for restricted or business entities) and a renewal system that starts October 1 and can incur penalties if overdue. Beginning in 2027, licensees must complete continuing education (six hours for unrestricted, three hours for restricted) and may have a grace period to finish it. The bill also requires license posting at the work site, filing an intent to drill before starting, submitting a water well completion certificate and logs/samples to the State Geological Survey, and notifies local health authorities for potable/agricultural wells; it also authorizes the Environmental Management Commission to set rules and a fee schedule for completing certifications, and establishes penalties for violations and license actions.

Who It Affects
Individual water well drillers: must obtain an unrestricted or restricted license, pay the new two-year fees, and meet continuing education requirements.
Business entities in the water well industry: may obtain a business entity license and must designate a licensed principal on the license; pay the entity license fee.
Local health authorities: will be notified within seven days of potable and agricultural wells' completion reports.
State Geological Survey: will receive logs, samples, and completion data from drillers.
Environmental Management Commission and Department: gain rulemaking authority to implement the act and manage licensing, fees, and enforcement.

Key Provisions
Creates two license types: Unrestricted Water Well Driller's License and Restricted License; licensees can be individuals or business entities with a licensed principal listed.
Licenses are valid for a two-year period starting October 1, 2025; renewal due October 1 with delinquency penalties after December 31.
Fees: unrestricted license $1,000; restricted license $500; business entity license $500; renewal and delinquency rules included.
Continuing education: starting October 1, 2027, six hours for unrestricted and three hours for restricted; grace period to complete CE until March 31 after the new license period.
On-site requirements: license must be posted at the drill site; prior intent to drill must be filed; a completion certificate and well log must be submitted within 30 days of completion; logs and samples must be provided to the State Geological Survey; local health authorities are notified about potable/agricultural wells within seven days.
Fees collected for well completion certifications may be set by rule and deposited into the Environmental Management Fund; rules may not revert to the General Fund.
Enforcement provisions: violations can lead to license denial, suspension, or revocation after due process; penalties include misdemeanors with fines of $100-$500 per violation and daily penalties for ongoing violations; revocation may bar reapplication for at least one year.
Authority to adopt rules: Environmental Management Commission may adopt implementing rules, including a fee schedule, and existing rules continue until amended.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Occupational Licensing Boards