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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 45Pt. 2Ch. 8Art. 4§ 79730 Cost Recovery Time Limits

§ 79730 Cost Recovery Time Limits

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 79730 Cost Recovery Time Limits

Key Takeaways

  • •The government has 3 years to ask for money back after cleaning up pollution.
  • •If the cleanup needs long-term care, the 3-year countdown starts after that care is done.
  • •If the government didn't ask for money back by December 31, 2015, they can't ask for it now.

Example

A factory pollutes a river, and the government cleans it up.

The government has 3 years after finishing the cleanup to ask the factory to pay for the costs. If the cleanup needs ongoing work (like regular check-ups), the 3-year countdown starts after that work is done.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 79730 Cost Recovery Time Limits

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) and subdivision (b), an action under Section 79650 for the recovery of costs incurred by the department or a regional board in carrying out or overseeing a response or corrective action pursuant to this part or Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100) of Division 20, or as otherwise authorized by law, shall be commenced within three years after completion of all response or corrective actions has been certified by the department or a regional board. (2) If operation and maintenance is required as part of the response or corrective action, the action for recovery of costs incurred by the department or a regional board shall be commenced within three years after completion of operation and maintenance has been certified by the department or a regional board. (b) No action described in subdivision (a) may be brought that, as of December 31, 2015, had not been commenced by the department within three years after the certification of the completion of the removal or remedial action. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 257, Sec. 2. (AB 2293) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 4 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 257.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

maintenancecompletioncleanupoperationoperative januarycertification

Related Statutes

  • § 79735 Department Cost Recovery Deadline
  • § 79740 Future Costs Enforcement Authority
  • § 25395.97 Response Action Completion Certificate
  • § 115060 Radioactive Material Licensing Rules
  • § 115090 Radiation Certification Background Review

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 79730.
View Official Source