2025 Session Last amended: 2017 session

§ 103I.711 — Impounding of Equipment

Plain-Language Summary

The Commissioner of Health can go to district court to get a warrant to seize and impound all drilling machines and hoists owned or used by a person who is doing well or boring work without a license. Once a sheriff receives the warrant, they must seize the equipment, and it stays in custody until a court orders its release or the commissioner directs the sheriff to return it. A person whose equipment is seized can go to court to challenge the seizure.

Practical Notes
Equipment seizure is one of the state’s strongest enforcement tools against unlicensed well contractors. Loss of drilling equipment effectively shuts down an unlicensed operation immediately. Anyone who believes their equipment was wrongfully seized has a right to contest the seizure in district court.