A.  The legislature finds and declares that:

(1)  Oilfield wastes in abandoned pits, ponds, lagoons, landfills, or other sites can pose a present and future hazard to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(2)  State laws and regulations must comprehensively address those situations where the state must direct or participate in the cleanup, closure, or post-closure of abandoned oilfield waste sites through the exercise of its police powers or the expenditure of public monies, or both.

B.  In order to eliminate any hazards associated with abandoned oilfield waste sites, it is in the public interest and within the police power of this state to provide for the control, prevention, abatement, and cleanup of abandoned oilfield waste sites through administrative or legal action and expenditures and to provide for the recovery of all monies expended.

Acts 1986, No. 892, §1, eff. July 10, 1986; Acts 1992, No. 984, §9.