Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1318-A, as amended by PL 1991, c. 817, §33, is further amended to read:

§1318-A. Recovery by State, counties and municipalities for

expenditures for removal of discharges

1. Responsible party. The responsible party or the person causing the discharge is liable for all acts and omissions of its servants and agents which that are committed within the course and scope of their employment.

2. State, counties and municipalities to recover for expenditures for removal. Any person who permits, causes or is responsible for a prohibited discharge shall reimburse the State, counties and municipalities for all costs incurred, including personnel costs, in removing the discharge, including costs for ensuring public safety. Funds recovered under this section must be deposited to the account from which they were expended. Requests from the State for reimbursement, if not paid within 30 days of demand, may be turned over to the Attorney General for collection or may be submitted to a collection agency or agent or an attorney retained by the department with the approval of the Attorney General pursuant to Title 5, section 191, or, for county or municipal cost, to the District Attorney for collection.

In any suit to enforce claims of the State, a county or a municipality under this section, it is not necessary for the State, county or a municipality to plead or prove negligence in any form or manner on the part of the person causing, permitting or responsible for the discharge. The State, county or municipality need only plead and prove the fact of the prohibited discharge and that the discharge occurred while the hazardous matter was in the custody or control of the person causing, permitting or responsible for the discharge.

SUMMARY

This bill entitles counties to reimbursement for removal costs associated with prohibited discharges of hazardous materials.