Bill > HB1088

This bill establishes a special, nonlapsing Water Well Board Fund in the state treasury, which will replace the current practice of depositing fees and penalties related to water well activities into the general fund. Specifically, the bill creates a revolving fund that will continuously collect all fees, fines, and civil penalties associated with water well activities, with the money being immediately credited to the treasury and invested by the state treasurer. Any earnings on the fund will be added back into the fund. The Water Well Board will use these funds to support its operational duties. The bill notes that a recently approved rule allows the Water Well Board to charge a $100 fee for each well completion report, which is expected to generate approximately $242,600 in annual revenue beginning July 1, 2026. Currently, the board collects about $43,480 annually, and one full-time position administering the Water Well Board is currently funded through the general fund. The bill will transfer both the existing revenue and the new fee collections into the dedicated Water Well Board Fund, and the administrative position will also be funded from this new special fund. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1740&inflect=2