HB 1817 — Waters and water rights; stating legislative findings; creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program; effective date.

HOUSEENGROSSED OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.

Worthen and Newton of the House and Pederson of the Senate 96 COMMITTEE[ SUBSTITUTEwaters Anand Actwater relatingrights to– waterslegislative findings – Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and waterPump rights;Installer Program – duties – requirements for training program – Oklahoma Water Resources Board – institute of higher education – criteria – rules – Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program Revolving Fund – expenditures – noncodification – codification – effective date ] BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

stating legislative findings;

creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program;

providing duties for certain program;

providing requirements for certain training program;

stating duties of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board;

requiring Board partner and provide funding to certain institute of higher education;

providing certain criteria to be met;

authorizing the promulgation of certain rules;

creating the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program Revolving Fund;

stating type of fund;

stating purpose of fund;

authorizing expenditures;

providing for noncodification;

providing for codification;

and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

HB1817 HFLR Page 1 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

There is a nationwide geoscience workforce shortage projected by the United States DepartmentENGR. of Labor to peak at 130,000 workers by 2029, leaving Oklahoma's groundwater industry struggling to fill positions with adequately trained professionals.

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1817 Page 1 Department of Labor to peak at 130,000 workers by 2029, leaving Oklahoma's groundwater industry struggling to fill positions with adequately trained professionals.

The Program shall be administered by the Board andwho shall have the following duties:

License well drilling and pump installation professionals to ensure the integrity of well construction, and thatensure those professionals are meeting construction standards to prevent pollution of groundwater in Oklahoma;

HB1817 HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

4.ENGR.

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B.

NO.

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HB1817 HFLR Page 3 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

3.ENGR.

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NO.

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HB1817 HFLR Page 4 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.

An institution that has existing,existing or in-planning,in-planning opportunities for both university students and nonstudent populationsENGR. to earn micro-credentials to showcase their achievement of industry-aligned skills;