ARTICLE 12.5. Hazardous Substance Release Cleanup [33459. - 33459.8.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 12.5.
in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459. Section 33459.

For purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) “Department” means the Department of Toxic Substances Control. (b) “Director” means the Director of Toxic Substances Control. (c) “Hazardous substance” means any hazardous substance as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 25281, and any reference to hazardous substance in the definitions referenced in this section shall be deemed to refer to hazardous substance, as defined in this subdivision. (d) “Local agency” means a single local agency that is one of the following: (1) A local agency authorized pursuant to Section 25283 to implement Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280) of, and Chapter 6.75 (commencing with Section 25299.10) of, Division 20. (2) A local officer who is authorized pursuant to Section 101087 to supervise a remedial action. (3) An infrastructure and revitalization financing district created pursuant to Chapter 2.6 (commencing with Section 53369) or Chapter 2.10 (commencing with Section 53399) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code. (e) “Qualified independent contractor” means an independent contractor who is any of the following: (1) An engineering geologist who is certified pursuant to Section 7842 of the Business and Professions Code. (2) A geologist who is registered pursuant to Section 7850 of the Business and Professions Code. (3) A civil engineer who is registered pursuant to Section 6762 of the Business and Professions Code. (f) “Release” means any release, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 78105. (g) “Remedy” or “remove” means any action to assess, evaluate, investigate, monitor, remove, correct, clean up, or abate a release of a hazardous substance or to develop plans for those actions. “Remedy” includes any action set forth in Section 78125 and “remove” includes any action set forth in Section 78135. (h) “Responsible party” means any person described in subdivision (a) of Section 78145 of this code or subdivision (a) of Section 13304 of the Water Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459.1. Section 33459.1.

(a) (1) An agency may take any actions that the agency determines are necessary and that are consistent with other state and federal laws to remedy or remove a release of hazardous substances on, under, or from property within a project area, whether the agency owns that property or not, subject to the conditions specified in subdivision (b). Unless an administering agency has been designated under Section 25262, the agency shall request cleanup guidelines from the department or the California regional water quality control board before taking action to remedy or remove a release. The department or the California regional water quality control board shall respond to the agency’s request to provide cleanup guidelines within a reasonable period of time. The agency shall thereafter submit for approval a cleanup or remedial action plan to the department or the California regional water quality control board before taking action to remedy or remove a release. The department or the California regional water quality control board shall respond to the agency’s request for approval of a cleanup or remedial action plan within a reasonable period of time. (2) The agency shall provide the department and local health and building departments, the California regional water quality control board, with notification of any cleanup activity pursuant to this section at least 30 days before the commencement of the activity. If an action taken by an agency or a responsible party to remedy or remove a release of a hazardous substance does not meet, or is not consistent with, a remedial action plan or cleanup plan approved by the department or the California regional water quality control board, the department or the California regional water quality control board that approved the cleanup or remedial action plan may require the agency to take, or cause the taking of, additional action to remedy or remove the release, as provided by applicable law. If an administering agency for the site has been designated under Section 25262, any requirement for additional action may be imposed only as provided in Sections 25263 and 25265. If methane or landfill gas is present, the agency shall obtain written approval from the California Integrated Waste Management Board prior to taking that action. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), an agency may take the actions specified in subdivision (a) only under one of the following conditions: (1) There is no responsible party for the release identified by the agency. (2) A party determined by the agency to be a responsible party for the release has been notified by the agency or has received adequate notice from the department, a California regional water quality control board, the Environmental Protection Agency, or other governmental agency with relevant authority and has been given 60 days to respond and to propose a remedial action plan and schedule, and the responsible party has not agreed within an additional 60 days to implement a plan and schedule to remedy or remove the release that is acceptable to the agency and that has been found by the agency to be consistent, to the maximum extent possible, with the priorities, guidelines, criteria, and regulations contained in the National Contingency Plan and published pursuant to Section 9605 of Title 42 of the United States Code for similar releases, situations, or events. (3) The party determined by the agency to be the responsible party for the hazardous substance release entered into an agreement with the agency to prepare a remedial action plan for approval by the department, the California regional water quality control board, or the appropriate local agency and to implement the remedial action plan in accordance with an agreed schedule, but failed to prepare the remedial action plan, failed to implement the remedial action plan in accordance with the agreed schedule, or otherwise failed to carry out the remedial action in an appropriate and timely manner. Any action taken by the agency pursuant to this paragraph shall be consistent with any agreement between the agency and the responsible party and with the requirements of the state or local agency that approved or will approve the remedial action plan and is overseeing or will oversee the preparation and implementation of the remedial action plan. (c) Subdivision (b) does not apply to either of the following agencies: (1) An agency taking actions to investigate or conduct feasibility studies concerning a release. (2) An agency taking the actions specified in subdivision (a) if the agency determines that conditions require immediate action. (d) An agency may designate a local agency in lieu of the department or the California regional water quality control board to review and approve a cleanup or remedial action plan and to oversee the remediation or removal of hazardous substances from a specific hazardous substance release site in accordance with the following conditions: (1) The local agency may be so designated if it is designated as the administering agency under Section 25262. In that event, the local agency, as the administering agency, shall conduct the oversight of the remedial action in accordance with Chapter 6.65 (commencing with Section 25260) and all provisions of that chapter shall apply to the remedial action. (2) The local agency may be so designated if cleanup guidelines were requested from a California regional water quality control board, and the site is an underground storage tank site subject to Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280) of Division 20, the local agency has been certified as a certified unified program agency pursuant to Section 25404.1, the State Water Resources Control Board has entered into an agreement with the local agency for oversight of those sites pursuant to Section 25297.1, the local agency determines that the site is within the guidelines and protocols established in, and pursuant to, that agreement, and the local agency consents to the designation. (3) A local agency may not consent to the designation by an agency unless the local agency determines that it has adequate staff resources and the requisite technical expertise and capabilities available to adequately supervise the remedial action. (4) (A) Where a local agency has been designated pursuant to paragraph (2), the department or a California regional water quality control board may require that a local agency withdraw from the designation, after providing the agency with adequate notice, if both of the following conditions are met: (i) The department or a California regional water quality control board determines that an agency’s designation of a local agency was not consistent with paragraph (2), or makes one of the findings specified in subdivision (d) of Section 101480. (ii) The department or a California regional water quality control board determines that it has adequate staff resources and capabilities available to adequately supervise the remedial action, and assumes that responsibility. (B) Nothing in this paragraph prevents a California regional water quality control board from taking any action pursuant to Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code. (5) Where a local agency has been designated pursuant to paragraph (2), the local agency may, after providing the agency with adequate notice, withdraw from its designation after making one of the findings specified in subdivision (d) of Section 101480. (e) To facilitate redevelopment planning, the agency may require the owner or operator of any site within a project area to provide the agency with all existing environmental information pertaining to the site, including the results of any Phase I or subsequent environmental assessment, as defined in Section 25200.14, any assessment conducted pursuant to an order from, or agreement with, any federal, state or local agency, and any other environmental assessment information, except that which is determined to be privileged. The person requested to furnish the information shall be required only to furnish that information as may be within their possession or control, including actual knowledge of information within the possession or control of any other party. If environmental assessment information is not available, the agency may require the owner of the property to conduct an assessment in accordance with standard real estate practices for conducting phase I or phase II environmental assessments.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459.3. Section 33459.3.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in Section 33459.7, an agency that undertakes and completes an action, or causes another person to undertake and complete an action pursuant to Section 33459.1, as specified in subdivision (c), to remedy or remove a hazardous substance release on, under, or from property within a redevelopment project, in accordance with a cleanup or remedial action plan prepared by a qualified independent contractor and approved by the department or a California regional water quality control board or the local agency, as appropriate, pursuant to subdivision (b), is not liable, with respect to that release only, under Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code or Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 25100), Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 25280), or Chapter 6.75 (commencing with Section 25299.10), of Division 20 of, or Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45 of, this code, or any other state or local law providing liability for remedial or removal actions for releases of hazardous substances. If the remedial action was also performed pursuant to Chapter 6.65 (commencing with Section 25260) of Division 20, and a certificate of completion is issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 25264, the immunity from agency action provided by the certificate of completion, as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 25264, shall apply to the agency, in addition to the immunity conferred by this section. In the case of a remedial action performed pursuant to Chapter 6.65 (commencing with Section 25260) of Division 20, and for which the administering agency is a local agency, the limitations on the certificate of completion set forth in paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (c) of Section 25264 are limits on any immunity provided for by this section and subdivision (c) of Section 25264. (b) Upon approval of any cleanup or remedial action plan, pursuant to applicable statutes and regulations, the director or the California regional water quality control board or the local agency, as appropriate, shall acknowledge, in writing, within 60 days of the date of approval, that upon proper completion of the remedial or removal action in accordance with the plan, the immunity provided by this section shall apply to the agency. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of law or policy providing for certification by a person conducting a remedial or removal action that the action has been properly completed, a determination that a remedial or removal action has been properly completed pursuant to this section shall be made only upon the affirmative approval of the director or the California regional water quality control board or the local agency, as appropriate. The department, California regional water quality control board, or local agency, as appropriate, shall, within 60 days of the date it finds that a remedial action has been completed, notify the agency in writing that the immunity provided by this section is in effect. (d) The approval of a cleanup or remedial action plan under this section by a local agency shall also be subject to the concurrent approval of the department or a California regional water quality control board when the agency receiving the approval was formed by the same entity of which the local agency is a part. (e) Upon proper completion of a remedial or removal action, as specified in subdivision (c), the immunity from agency action provided by the certificate of completion provided pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25264 and the immunity provided by this section extends to all of the following, but only for the release or releases specifically identified in the approved cleanup or remedial action plan and not for any subsequent release or any release not specifically identified in the approved cleanup or remedial action plan: (1) Any employee or agent of the agency, including an instrumentality of the agency authorized to exercise some, or all, of the powers of an agency within, or for the benefit of, a redevelopment project and any employee or agent of the instrumentality. (2) Any person who enters into an agreement with an agency for the redevelopment of property, if the agreement requires the person to acquire property affected by a hazardous substance release or to remove or remedy a hazardous substance release with respect to that property. (3) Any person who acquires the property after a person has entered into an agreement with an agency for redevelopment of the property as described in paragraph (2). (4) Any person who provided financing to a person specified in paragraph (2) or (3). (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the immunity provided by this section does not extend to any of the following: (1) Any person who was a responsible party for the release before entering into an agreement, acquiring property, or providing financing, as specified in subdivision (e). (2) Any person specified in subdivision (a) or (e) for any subsequent release of a hazardous substance or any release of a hazardous substance not specifically identified in the approved cleanup or remedial action plan. (3) Any contractor who prepares the cleanup or remedial action plan, or conducts the removal or remedial action. (4) Any person who obtains an approval, as specified in subdivision (b), or a determination, as specified in subdivision (c), by fraud, negligent or intentional nondisclosure, or misrepresentation, and any person who knows before the approval or determination is obtained or before the person enters into an agreement, acquires the property or provides financing, as specified in subdivision (e), that the approval or determination was obtained by these means. (g) The immunity provided by this section is in addition to any other immunity of an agency provided by law. (h) This section does not impair any cause of action by an agency or any other party against the person, firm, or entity responsible for the hazardous substance release which is the subject of the removal or remedial action taken by the agency or other person immune from liability pursuant to this section. (i) This section does not apply to, or limit, alter, or restrict, any action for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death. (j) This section does not limit liability of a person described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (e) for damages under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq.). (k) This section does not establish, limit, or affect the liability of an agency for any release of a hazardous substance that is not investigated or remediated pursuant to this section or Chapter 6.65 (commencing with Section 25260) of Division 20. ( l ) The immunity provided for by this section is only conferred if both of the following apply: (1) The action is in accordance with a cleanup or remedial action plan prepared by a qualified independent contractor and approved by the department or a California regional water quality control board or the local agency, as appropriate, pursuant to subdivision (b). (2) The remedial or removal action is undertaken and properly completed, as specified in subdivision (c). (m) The agency shall reimburse the department, the California regional water quality control board, and the local agency for costs incurred in reviewing or approving cleanup or remedial action plans pursuant to this section.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459.4. Section 33459.4.

(a) Except as provided in Section 33459.7, if a redevelopment agency undertakes action to remedy or remove, or to require others to remedy or remove, including compelling a responsible party through a civil action, to remedy or remove a release of hazardous substance, any responsible party or parties shall be liable to the redevelopment agency for the costs incurred in the action. An agency may not recover the costs of goods and services that were not procured in accordance with applicable procurement procedures. The amount of the costs shall include the interest on the costs accrued from the date of expenditure and reasonable attorney’s fees and shall be recoverable in a civil action. Interest shall be calculated based on the average annual rate of return on an agency’s investment of surplus funds for the fiscal year in which costs were incurred. (b) The only defenses available to a responsible party shall be the defenses specified in subdivision (b) of Section 78145. (c) An agency may recover any costs incurred to develop and to implement a cleanup or remedial action plan approved pursuant to Sections 33459.1 and 33459.3, to the same extent the department is authorized to recover those costs. The scope and standard of liability for cost recovery pursuant to this section shall be the scope and standard of liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq.) as that act would apply to the department; provided, however, that any reference to hazardous substance therein shall be deemed to refer to hazardous substance as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 33459. (d) An action for recovery of costs of a remedy or removal undertaken by a redevelopment agency under this section shall be commenced within three years after completion of the remedy or removal. (e) The action to recover costs provided by this section is in addition to, and is not to be construed as restricting, any other cause of action available to a redevelopment agency. (f) Except as provided in subdivision (m) of Section 33459.3, notwithstanding any other provision of state law or policy, an agency that undertakes and completes a remedial action, or otherwise causes a remedial action to be undertaken and completed pursuant to Sections 33459.1 and 33459.3, shall not be liable based on its ownership of property after a release occurred, for any costs that any responsible party for that release incurs to investigate or remediate the release or to compensate others for the effects of that release.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459.5. Section 33459.5.

Except as provided in Section 33459.3, nothing in this article shall limit the powers of the State Water Resources Control Board or a California regional water quality control board to enforce Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 33459.8. Section 33459.8.

If an agency undertakes any action to remedy or remove a release of hazardous substances on, under, or from property within a project area, the agency shall amend its redevelopment plan and follow the same procedure, as specified, and the legislative body is subject to the same restrictions as provided for in Article 4 (commencing with Section 33330), for the adoption of a redevelopment plan, if the agency determines that as a result of the remedial or removal action, it will also be taking any of the following actions: (a) Proposing to add new territory to the project area. (b) Increasing either the limitation on the amount of funds to be allocated to the agency or the time limit on the establishing of loans, advances, and indebtedness established pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of Section 33333.2. (c) Lengthening the period during which the redevelopment plan is effective. (d) Merging project areas. (e) Adding significant additional capital improvement projects.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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