(a) Any civil action brought pursuant to this chapter, or pursuant to Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code, shall be brought in the county in which the spill, discharge, or violation occurred, the county in which the principal place of business of the defendant is located, or the county in which the defendant is doing business in this state.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all criminal actions for the prosecution of misdemeanor violations of this chapter or Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code shall be commenced within one year from the date of the discovery of the facts or circumstances that constitute the violation.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all criminal actions for the prosecution of felony violations of this chapter or Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code shall be commenced within three years from the date of the discovery of the facts or circumstances that constitute the violation.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in subdivision (d), any action to recover civil damages or penalties shall be commenced within three years from the date of discovery of the facts or circumstances that constitute a violation of this chapter or Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code.

(d) Any action to recover civil damages or penalties pursuant to paragraph (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) of subdivision (h) of Section 8670.56.5 because of effects on natural resources shall be commenced within five years from the date of the discovery of the facts or circumstances that are the basis for the cause of action.

(e) Any action to compel the removal of oil or the restoration and rehabilitation of wildlife and wildlife habitat shall be commenced within five years from the date of discovery of the facts or circumstances that constitute a violation of this chapter or Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code.

(f) For purposes of subdivisions (b), (c), (d), and (e), “date of discovery” means the actual date that facts sufficient to establish that a violation of this chapter or Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code has occurred are discovered by a peace officer appointed pursuant to Section 851 of the Fish and Game Code.

(g) The administrator may adopt regulations prescribing procedures for the implementation of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 209, Sec. 11. (AB 2912) Effective January 1, 2017.)