(a) Except as provided in subdivision (f), a claimant who meets any of the following requirements may use the fund to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility:

(1) A claimant who meets the qualifications of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 25299.52 shall be deemed in compliance with Section 25299.31 if the claimant is eligible for reimbursement from the fund pursuant to Section 25299.54, subdivision (d) of Section 25299.57, and subdivision (b) of Section 25299.58.

(2) If a claimant meets the qualifications of paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 25299.52, the level of financial responsibility required to be obtained pursuant to Section 25299.31 shall be at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each occurrence and at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) annual aggregate coverage for taking corrective action.

(3) If a claimant meets the qualifications of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 25299.52, the level of financial responsibility required to be obtained pursuant to Section 25299.31 shall be at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each occurrence, and at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000) annual aggregate coverage for taking corrective action.

(b) The level of financial responsibility required to be obtained pursuant to Section 25299.31 for each occurrence for bodily injury and property damage shall be in the amount specified by the board in the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 25299.77.

(c) The level of financial responsibility required to be obtained pursuant to Section 25299.31 shall be in the amount specified by the board for annual aggregate coverage for both corrective action and bodily injury and property damage.

(d) The board may periodically increase the minimum level of financial responsibility specified in subdivision (a) upon its determination that private insurance is available and affordable.

(e) The changes made to this section by Chapter 1191 of the Statutes of 1994 shall apply to all claimants with claims, or portions of claims, for corrective action at sites that have not been completed, and for which reimbursement by the fund has not been fully paid by the board.

(f) (1) On and after January 1, 2025, an owner or operator of a tank for which a permit that is issued pursuant to Section 25284 is in effect shall not use the fund as a mechanism to demonstrate compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of Sections 25292.2 and 25299.31 and with the federal act.

(2) On or before December 31, 2024, an owner or operator who previously used the fund as a mechanism to demonstrate compliance with financial responsibility requirements shall submit, to the local agency that issued the permit for the operation of the tank pursuant to Section 25284, evidence of the alternative financial responsibility mechanism that will be used, on and after January 1, 2025, to comply with Sections 25292.2 and 25299.31 and with the federal act.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 547, Sec. 2. (SB 445) Effective September 25, 2014. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 25299.81.)