MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Assembly Republicans have introduced an identical companion bill to a Senate measure that would loosen high-capacity well regulations, a sign the GOP has reconciled its differences on the issue. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald last month introduced a bill exempting well repairs and ownership transfers from Department of Natural Resources oversight and calling for groundwater studies. The Assembly passed the bill last session but included a provision allowing people harmed by water withdrawals to file nuisance actions and requiring the loser to pay attorney fees. The Senate removed that language after Fitzgerald said most of the Republican senators didn’t like the “loser pays” provision. The Assembly never took the new version up before the session ended.
