nh-2026-172: Well Completion Report

1. Agency: Water Well Board

Agency Address: Water Well Board c/o NH Department of Environmental Services 29 Hazen Drive PO Box 95 Concord, NH 03302-0095

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: The Water Well Board (Board) is proposing to readopt with amendment We 800, Well Completion Report, as stated below: 1) Repeal We 802 and incorporate the requirements for technical drillers currently in 802 into 801. 2) Require that well completion reports be filed electronically instead of in paper format. Currently We 801 and We 802 are nearly identical, with the only substantive change relating to the number of well completion reports technical drillers are required to file. The content and filing of the reports are the same, so this change eliminates unnecessary duplication and reduces confusion. By moving to an electronic filing, data from the well completion reports will be available to the public quicker. It also allows the Board to implement the well completion report fee in We 303.02, which becomes effective on January 1, 2027. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026 These rules are set to expire 3-1-27, but are subject to extension pursuant to RSA 541-A:14-a. _ Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? No 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: Well completion reports are signed and submitted to the Board by licensed water well contractors, which is defined to mean “a person who engages in water well construction.” See We 101.43 and RSA 482-B:2. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: Rule Specific State Statute which the Rule Implements We 800 RSA 484-B:1; RSA 482-B:4, IX; RSA 482-B:10

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Name: Aron Johnson Title: Legal Coordinator Address: 29 Hazen Drive PO Box 95 Phone Number: (603) 271-2464 Concord, NH 03302 FAX Number: Email: aron.b.johnson@des.nh.gov

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Thursday, October 8, 2026 _ Fax X Email nhdesrules@des.nh.gov X Other: NHDES Administrative Rules Public Comment Form

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM Place: Room 112, DES Offices, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH NOTE: NHDES security procedures require all visitors to sign in and present photo identification (such as a driver’s license). If you plan to attend the public hearing in person, please bring photo identification with you. Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:162, dated: Friday, August 28, 2026

1. Comparison of the costs of the proposed rule(s) to the existing rule(s):

When compared to the existing rules, the proposed rules will not have any direct impact on cost. It will indirectly decrease to cost of processing well completion reports by removing the burden of manually entering data from paper well completion reports into the well completion report database. Once the reports are approved, the data submitted electronically will automatically be uploaded into the database.

2. Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds:

No federal mandate, no impact on state funds.

3. Cost and benefits of the proposed rule(s):

The current rule requires all data received in paper format to be manually uploaded into the well completion report database. Once the reports are approved, the data submitted electronically will automatically be uploaded into the database. It also allows for the well completion report fee in We 303.02 to be received electronically and therefore will not be manually billed and processed.

A. To State general or State special funds:

The proposed rule will not have any impact on theState’s general or special funds.

B. To State citizens and political subdivisions:

The proposed rule will make data from well completion reports available electronically sooner than can be done under the current rule by eliminating manual inputting of data.

C. To independently owned businesses:

The only affected businesses are water well contractors, who will be responsible for completing the well completion reports electronically rather than on paper. The electronic form is expected to reduce confusion and eliminate errors that are currently seen in paper forms. 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: The proposed rules do not mandate or assign to any local political subdivision a program or responsibility that is new, expanded, or modified from what existed before state action which would necessitate additional expenditures by a local subdivision. The proposed rules do not impose a change to an underlying function, duty, or activity performed or to be performed by a local government, and so do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the New Hampshire Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026