This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding the liability of property owners in the event of a hazardous substance release. Under the new provisions, the owner of a qualifying property must provide written notice of any release or threatened release of a hazardous substance to prospective buyers, the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and the State Mine Inspector if applicable. This notice must occur before the property is conveyed. The bill also defines "qualifying property" and "prospective buyer," establishing criteria for what constitutes a qualifying property based on known hazardous substance releases and the owner's responsibility.

Additionally, the bill makes technical changes to existing language, such as replacing terms like "permitted" with "allowed," and clarifying the conditions under which property owners are deemed responsible parties. It specifies that liability does not accrue to property owners under certain circumstances, such as when hazardous substances migrate from neighboring properties. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in property transactions involving hazardous substances while ensuring that property owners are informed of their obligations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-283
House Engrossed Version: 49-283
Chaptered Version: 49-283