There is a State Board of Well Drillers in the Department.

The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Secretary and the advice and consent of the Senate. Of the seven Board members: One shall be from the Department of the Environment; One shall be from the Department of Natural Resources; One shall be a public member; and Four shall be licensed master well drillers who are actively practicing well drilling at the time of appointment and shall include: One from Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, or Worcester county; One from Baltimore City or Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, or Montgomery county; One from Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, or St. Mary’s county; and One from Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, or Washington county. Before taking office, each appointee to the Board shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution. The term of a member is 2 years. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.

The public member is the chairman of the Board. Except for the chairman, the manner of election of officers and their terms of office shall be as the Board determines.

With the approval of the Secretary, the Board may employ and discharge an executive director. The executive director is entitled to compensation in accordance with the State budget. The executive director shall have a broad knowledge of well drilling. The executive director shall devote the time that is necessary to fulfill the duties of the office and may not hold any position or engage in another business that interferes or appears to be inconsistent with the position of executive director.

The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings. Each member of the Board is entitled to: Compensation in accordance with the State budget unless the member otherwise is a public official; and Reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. With the approval of the Secretary, the Board may employ a Board secretary and other staff. The Board secretary and other staff are entitled to compensation in accordance with the State budget.

In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this title. In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Board shall: Carry out the provisions of this title; Review and comment on proposed regulations that relate to well system equipment and the construction of wells that are submitted to it before adoption by the Secretary; Collect and account for any funds received under this title; Keep a record of: Each license that it issues; and Each action it takes under § 13-310 of this title; Require any person who practices well drilling to be covered in accordance with its regulations by a reasonable performance bond and reasonable contractor’s liability insurance; and Have an official seal. On complaint or on its own motion, the Board may investigate allegations of practicing well drilling without a license.

Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Board: Shall set reasonable fees necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this title; and May set fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses according to class of license. The fees established by the Board under subsection (a) of this section shall be set in a manner that will produce funds sufficient to cover the actual direct and indirect costs of regulating the well drilling industry in accordance with the provisions of this title. The Board shall pay any fee collected under this title into the General Fund of the State.