2015 -- S 0352

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LC000929

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - DRILLING OF DRINKING WATER

WELLS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 46-13.2-1, 46-13.2-4 and 46-13.2-7 of the General Laws in

Chapter 46-13.2 entitled "Drilling of Drinking Water Wells" are hereby amended to read as

follows:

     46-13.2-1. Definitions. -- For the purpose of this chapter:

      (1) "Building official" means the local building official authorized in accordance with §

23- 27.3-107 or the state building code commissioner authorized in accordance with § 23-27.3-

108.2, as applicable;

      (2) "Board" means the Rhode Island contractors' registration and licensing board;

      (3) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, limited liability

company, joint venture, or organization, or any combination thereof;

      (4) "Well" means an artificial sanitary excavation or opening in the ground, by which

groundwater can be obtained or through which it flows under natural pressure or is artificially

withdrawn; and for the purposes of this chapter, excepting section 46-13.2-3(c), attached as an

appurtenance to a building or structure.

      (5) "Well drilling contractor" means a person who is licensed by the contractors'

registration and licensing board under chapter 65.2 of title 5, and who engages in well drilling,

including the installation, alteration, removal, or repair of water supply systems or pumps as

provided herein;

      (6) "Well drilling" means and includes the industry, procedure and all operations

engaged in by any person, full-time or part-time, for compensation or otherwise, to obtain water

from a well or wells by drilling, or other methods, for any purpose or use, or as defined in § 5-

65.2-1.

      (7) "Appurtenance" means and includes wells, pumps, filtration or treatment systems, or

other devices installed therewith. the installation, alteration or repair of wells connected to a

structure.

     46-13.2-4. Registration and licensing of well drilling contractors and pump

installers. -- Registration and licensing of well drilling contractors, water filtration system

contractors and pump installers. -- (a) No person shall install a well water filtration or

treatment system, or a pump within a water well unless registered or licensed with the proper

authorities in accordance with this chapter, chapter 5-65 and chapter 5-65.2 of the Rhode Island

general laws. Well drilling contractors, pump installers, and water filtration/treatment system

contractors are subject to the jurisdiction of the contractors' registration and licensing board

including the relevant registration and licensing procedures of the board authorized by chapter 5-

65 and chapters 65 and 65.2 of title 5, and in effect at the time of passage of this act.

      (b) A municipality engaged in well drilling shall be exempt from the registration or

license provisions of this chapter if the drilling is done by regular employees of, and with

equipment owned by, the municipality, and the work is on wells intended for use by the

municipality.

      (c) This chapter shall not restrict a plumber or electrician from engaging in the trade for

which he or she has been licensed.

     46-13.2-7. Well constructed for farming or private use. -- A landowner may construct

his or her own well to provide water for the consumption by himself or herself, his or her family,

pets, livestock, or for farming of his or her land where the water obtained shall not be intended for

use by the general public or in any residence other than the landowner's, and the landowner shall

not be required to be registered or licensed under § 46-13.2-4 or chapter 65.2 of title 5, but must

submit a well installation report as required by § 46-13.2-5 and comply with all regulations and

codes of construction adopted under this chapter and section 23-27.3 and comply as applicable

with requirements of § 23-1-5.3.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO WATERS AND NAVIGATION - DRILLING OF DRINKING WATER

WELLS

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     This act would add pump installers, and/or water filtration/treatment system contractors

to the regulations relating to the drilling of drinking water wells.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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