The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by updating the limitation periods for filing actions related to response activity costs and natural resources damages. Specifically, it establishes that actions for recovery of these costs must be initiated not later than 6 years after the start of physical on-site construction activities for the approved remedial action. Additionally, it allows for subsequent actions related to response activity costs to be filed at any time during the response activity, provided they are initiated within 3 years of completing all response activities at the facility. The bill also introduces a new provision for actions seeking damages related to hazardous substances that were not previously regulated, allowing such actions to be filed within 6 years of the initiation of remedial construction.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that for natural resources damages accrued before July 1, 1991, the limitation period for filing actions is set to July 1, 1994. It also specifies that for recovery of response activity costs incurred before July 1, 1991, the same limitation applies. The bill includes a curative provision intended to clarify the legislature's original intent, which applies retroactively. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline the process for filing claims related to environmental damages and response activities.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 324.20140