An action for recovery of costs or expenditures incurred from the state account pursuant to this part in response to a hazardous substance release shall not be brought against an owner of property unless the department first certifies that, as found by the department, one of the following situations applies:
(a) The hazardous substance release occurred on or after the date that the owner acquired the property.
(b) The hazardous substance release occurred before the date that the owner acquired the property and, at the time of the acquisition, the owner knew, or had reason to know, of the hazardous substance release.
(c) The environmental assessment applicable to the property was not properly carried out, was fraudulently completed, or involves the negligent or intentional nondisclosure of information.
(d) The hazardous substance release was discovered on or after the date of acquisition and the owner failed to exercise due care with respect to the release, taking into consideration the characteristics of the hazardous substance in light of all relevant facts and circumstances.
(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.)