If the director approves the request of the city or county to initiate a removal or remedial action and a final remedial action plan has been issued pursuant to Article 12 (commencing with Section 79195) for the hazardous substance release site, the city or county shall be deemed to be acting in place of the department for purposes of implementing the remedial action plan pursuant to this part.

(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.)