A new bill filed by State Rep. Jeff Zenger seeks to revise regulations for on-site wastewater systems and private drinking water wells in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 376 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Various On-Site Wastewater & Well Provisions.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill makes changes to on-site wastewater and private drinking water well regulations in North Carolina. It revises the creation and membership rules of the North Carolina On-Site Wastewater Contractors and Inspectors Certification Board, including term limits. New certification requirements are established for various levels of wastewater system professionals. Local health departments may have their rules for wastewater systems approved if they meet stringent health protection criteria. The bill forms a Private Drinking Water Well Task Force to recommend improvements to well regulations, potentially consolidating oversight within one statewide body and eliminating local programs. Certified well contractors may perform well site evaluations, but not on their proposed constructions. The bill takes effect upon becoming law, with specific sections applicable from July 1, 2026.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Zenger proposed the most bills (12) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Zenger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Wes Schollander.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Zenger, Dennis Riddell, and Mark Brody | HB 376 | 03/11/2025 | Various On-Site Wastewater & Well Provisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donna McDowell White, Donnie Loftis, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 319 | 03/06/2025 | Funds for Hispanic Grassroots. |
| Jeff Zenger, David Willis, Jonathan L. Almond, and Neal Jackson | HB 301 | 03/05/2025 | Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16. |
| Jeff Zenger, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Charles W. Miller | HB 272 | 03/04/2025 | The Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Julia C. Howard, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 264 | 03/03/2025 | Wire Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Jeff Zenger, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Sam Watford | HB 247 | 02/27/2025 | Underground Safety Revisions. |
| Jeff Zenger, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Neal Jackson | HB 133 | 02/17/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Jeff Zenger and Donny Lambeth | HB 82 | 02/10/2025 | Study Commission for LEA Size. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donnie Loftis, Erin Paré, and Steve Tyson | HB 56 | 02/04/2025 | Publish Central Office Employment Information. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Larry W. Potts | HB 30 | 02/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/WS-F,Stokes,Davdsn/Aug11 & Assmnts. |
| Jeff Zenger, Donny Lambeth, Kyle Hall, and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 34 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Larceny of Mail Offense. |
| Jeff Zenger, Erin Paré, Kelly E. Hastings, and Paul Scott | HB 15 | 01/29/2025 | Support Private Property Rights. |
