HB 4109
Removing Cap on Number of Wells Subject to Annual Oversight Fee
HB 4109 removes the 400-well cap and makes the operator responsible on all their wells. Gas and oil drillers are responsible for a $350 fee on their first 400 wells that are not capped.
Sponsors: Evan Hansen
CWV Position: Supports
Position Statement: HB 4109 ensures adequate funding for oversight of oil and gas wells by removing an artificial cap on fees, strengthening environmental monitoring, enforcement, and protection of water and land resources.
Supports proper oversight and enforcement: Removing the cap ensures that all regulated wells contribute to the cost of inspections, monitoring, and enforcement, helping agencies keep pace with the scale of drilling activity.
Protects water and land resources: Strong oversight reduces risks of spills, leaks, abandoned wells, and contamination of groundwater and streams.
Applies the “polluter pays” principle: Companies operating wells should bear the cost of regulating their activities, rather than shifting those costs to taxpayers.
Improves regulatory capacity: Adequate fee revenue helps fund inspectors, data management, and compliance actions needed to protect public health and the environment.
Promotes fairness and accountability: Treating all wells consistently avoids preferential treatment and ensures responsible operators are not undercut by poor actors.
Status: Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Energy and Public Works.
