(a) (1) Any costs or damages incurred by the department or regional board pursuant to this part constitute a claim and lien upon the real property owned by the responsible party that is subject to, or affected by, the removal and remedial action.
(2) The lien provided by this article shall continue until the liability for these costs or damages, or a judgment against the responsible party, is satisfied. However, if it is determined by the court that the judgment against the responsible party will not be satisfied, the department may exercise its rights under the lien.
(b) This lien shall attach regardless of whether the responsible party is insolvent.
(c) A lien established by this article shall be subject to the notice and hearing procedures required by due process of the law and shall arise at the time costs are first incurred by the department or regional board with respect to a response action at the site.
(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.)