(a) A person who makes a misrepresentation in any claim, including, but not limited to, a record, report, certification, application, invoice, form, or other document that is submitted to the fund relating to a claim, is subject to civil liability of not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for each violation of this subdivision.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (d), the Attorney General, upon request of the state board, shall bring an action in superior court to impose the civil liability specified in subdivision (a).

(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), the executive director of the board may impose the civil liability specified in subdivision (a) administratively in the same manner as the executive director of the board is authorized to impose civil liability pursuant to Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of the Water Code.

(d) If the violation by a claimant of subdivision (a) is not knowing, willful, or intentional, the board or an authorized representative shall first issue a notice to comply pursuant to Chapter 5.8 (commencing with Section 13399) of Division 7 of the Water Code before an action may be taken pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c).

(e) In determining the amount of civil liability imposed under this section, the executive director of the board, or the court, as the case may be, shall take into account the nature, circumstance, extent, and gravity of the violation, the person’s ability to pay, any prior history of misrepresentations by the person to the board or local agency, any economic benefits or savings that resulted or would have resulted from the false statement, and other matters as justice may require.

(f) Remedies under this section are in addition to, and do not supersede or limit, any other civil, administrative, or criminal remedies.

(g) All money collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the fund.

(h) The board shall file a complaint with any applicable licensing board against any person licensed or otherwise regulated by that licensing board who is found to be liable under this section.

(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 547, Sec. 22. (SB 445) Effective September 25, 2014. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 25299.81.)