The proposed bill would update current statutes by introducing new provisions that allow the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to issue written releases and covenants not to sue to prospective remediators of contaminated sites, a capability not currently available under existing law. It would also expand the scope of agreements between ADEQ and prospective remediators to include commitments for substantial funding or resources for remedial measures, moving beyond the current focus on prospective purchasers of facilities. Additionally, the bill would establish new requirements for prospective remediators, such as demonstrating their technical and financial capabilities, and would protect them from liability for existing hazardous substance releases if they fulfill their obligations.

Moreover, the bill would introduce new definitions, including "prospective remediator" and "prospective remediator agreement," while modifying the definition of "hazardous substance" to exclude petroleum under certain conditions. It would also expand the definition of "remedial actions" to encompass specific techniques and community participation costs. Various deletions and modifications to existing language would streamline the statutes, clarify the conditions for granting written releases, and emphasize the need for assessing the capabilities of prospective remediators. Overall, these updates aim to improve the clarity and effectiveness of the environmental remediation process in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-281, 49-282, 49-285.01, 49-289.03, 49-292, 49-292.01, 49-292.02, 49-287.01, 49-282.06, 49-201, 49-1001, 49-283.02, 49-282.05, 49-285, 49-287.06, 49-287.07, 49-287.02, 49-225, 45-605, 49-282.04, 30-651, 30-656, 49-287.04, 3-272, 3-351, 42-5302, 45-616, 49-209, 49-929, 49-930, 42-5029, 43-206, 45-618, 35-190, 49-282.02, 49-282.03, 35-111, 49-151, 49-152, 49-287.03
House Engrossed Version: 49-281, 49-282, 49-285.01, 49-289.03, 49-292, 49-292.01, 49-292.02, 49-287.01, 49-282.06, 49-201, 49-1001, 49-283.02, 49-282.05, 49-285, 49-287.06, 49-287.07, 49-287.02, 49-225, 45-605, 49-282.04, 30-651, 30-656, 49-287.04, 3-272, 3-351, 42-5302, 45-616, 49-209, 49-929, 49-930, 42-5029, 43-206, 45-618, 35-190, 49-282.02, 49-282.03, 35-111, 49-151, 49-152, 49-287.03
Chaptered Version: 49-281, 49-282, 49-285.01, 49-289.03, 49-292, 49-292.01, 49-292.02, 49-287.01, 49-282.06, 49-201, 49-1001, 49-283.02, 49-282.05, 49-285, 49-287.06, 49-287.07, 49-287.02, 49-225, 45-605, 49-282.04, 30-651, 30-656, 49-287.04, 3-272, 3-351, 42-5302, 45-616, 49-209, 49-929, 49-930, 42-5029, 43-206, 45-618, 35-190, 49-282.02, 49-282.03, 35-111, 49-151, 49-152, 49-287.03