(a) The director may initiate removal or remedial action pursuant to this part unless these actions have been taken, or are being taken properly and in a timely fashion, by any responsible party.

(b) A responsible party who fails, as determined by the department in writing, to comply with an order issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 79055, or to comply with all of the terms of an enforceable agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 79055, shall be deemed, for purposes of subdivision (a), to have failed to take action properly and in a timely fashion with respect to a hazardous substance release or a threatened release.

(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.)