Occupational Board Reform Act

General Information

Committee of Jurisdiction:Natural Resources
Occupation Regulated:Water Well Contractor, Water Well Supervisor, Pump Installation Contractor, Pump Installation Supervisor, Water Well Monitoring Technician, Natural Resources Groundwater Technician
Occupational Board:Water Well Standards and Contractors' Licensing Board
Contact:David Miesbach
Purpose:Provide for the protection of groundwater and public health through the licensing and regulation of water well and pump installation professionals.
Regulated Professionals:743
Year Created:1986
Year Active:1986 - Board, 1988 - Rules and Regulations
Sunset Date:None

Authorization

Statutory Authorization:Water Well Standards and Contractors' Practice Act (46-1201 to 46-1241)
Parent Agency:NDEE

Membership

Number of Members:10
Who Appoints:6 by the Governor, 4 Agency representatives (NDEE, NDNR, UNL-CSD, NDHHS)
Legislative Approval:None
Qualifications of Members:Resident of the State of Nebraska 5 years experience in the category represented Actively engaged in the business/category represented Licensed by the Program
Per Diem:Yes
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:Governor appointees - 5 year terms, up to 2 terms
Terms Rotate or Expire at Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings

Required FY 2021-2020:1
Held FY 2021-2020:5
Required FY 2020-2019:1
Held FY 2020-2019:6
Required FY 2019-2018:1
Held FY 2019-2018:5
Required FY 2018-2017:1
Held FY 2018-2017:5
Required FY 2017-2016:1
Held FY 2017-2016:5

Operations

Support Staff:.05 FTE
Shared or Separate:Shared
FY 2021-2020 Budget:0
FY 2020-2019 Budget:0
FY 2019-2018 Budget:0
FY 2018-2017 Budget:0
FY 2017-2016 Budget:0
Other Funding Sources:None
Spending Authority:No

Other

Government Certificates Issued:286
Issued Certificate Descriptions:Well Drilling Contractor - 14 Well Drilling Supervisor - 3 Natural Resources Groundwater Technician - 61 Pump Installation Contractor - 27 Pump Installation Supervisor - 4 Water Well Monitoring Technician - 88 Or these combinations of occupations: Well Drilling Contractor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 11 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Contractor - 68 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Supervisor - 8 Well Drilling Supervisor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 3
Government Certificates Revoked:1
Revoked Certificate Descriptions:License was suspended, not revoked. Well Drilling Contractor - 0 Well Drilling Supervisor – 0 Pump Installation Contractor - 0 Pump Installation Supervisor - 0 Water Well Monitoring Technician – 0 Natural Resources Groundwater Technician – 0 Or these combinations of occupations: Well Drilling Contractor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 0 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Contractor - 1 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Supervisor - 0 Well Drilling Supervisor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 0
Government Certificates Denied:140
Denied Certificate Descriptions:Denials were for failed exams. Well Drilling Contractor - 9 Well Drilling Supervisor - 1 Pump Installation Contractor - 19 Pump Installation Supervisor - 3 Water Well Monitoring Technician - 71 Natural Resources Groundwater Technician – 21 Or these combinations of occupations: Well Drilling Contractor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 1 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Contractor - 13 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Supervisor - 2 Well Drilling Supervisor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 0
Government Certificates Penalties Against:227
Penalty Certificate Descriptions:Penalties were assessed for reinstatement of license. ($35/license) Well Drilling Contractor - 35 Well Drilling Supervisor – 2 Pump Installation Contractor - 30 Pump Installation Supervisor - 9 Water Well Monitoring Technician - 46 Natural Resources Groundwater Technician - 16 Or these combinations of occupations: Well Drilling Contractor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 21 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Contractor - 62 Well Drilling/Pump Installation Supervisor - 4 Well Drilling Supervisor/Water Well Monitoring Technician - 2
Explanation of Effectiveness:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1633639022.pdf
Potential HarmWithout proper well construction, groundwater in which >85% of Nebraskans rely on for drinking water may be impacted by contaminants from the surface or subsurface. Well construction regulations are drafted by the Board.
Regulation Comparison:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1633639022.pdf
Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407):No
Survey Submitted: October 7, 2021 03:37 PM