(A) Nothing in sections 122.65 to 122.658 of the Revised Code, nor any agreement entered into under those sections, shall be construed to amend, modify, repeal, or otherwise alter any other provision of the Revised Code relating to administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, or enforcement actions and remedies available to the environmental protection agency, or in any way amend, modify, repeal, or alter the authority of that agency to bring administrative, civil, or criminal actions under any provision of the Revised Code.

(B) Nothing in sections 122.65 to 122.658 of the Revised Code shall affect the ability or authority of any person that is undertaking or has undertaken investigation or remediation activities at a brownfield under those sections to seek cost recovery or contribution from or any relief available against any person who may have liability with respect to the brownfield.

(C)

(1) An applicant who has entered into an agreement under section 122.653 or 122.656 of the Revised Code is not liable in a civil action under the Revised Code or the common law of the state for the costs of an assessment or cleanup or remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum that is present at or on the property at the time at which the agreement was entered into, and is not subject to the issuance of an order by the director of environmental protection under Chapter 3714., 3734., 3750., 3751., 3752., 6109., or 6111. of the Revised Code regarding an assessment or cleanup or remediation of hazardous substances or petroleum that is present at or on the property at the time at which the agreement was entered into, when all of the following conditions apply:

(a) No action or omission of the applicant caused, contributed to, or exacerbated a release or threatened release of hazardous substances or petroleum at or on the property.

(b) The applicant conducts or causes to be conducted all assessments and cleanup or remediation at or on the property in compliance with the agreement and in accordance with all applicable laws.

(c) The applicant conducts or causes to be conducted activities occurring at the property, which are not related to assessments or cleanup or remediation at or on the property, in compliance with any applicable requirements established under Chapters 3714., 3734., 3737., 3750., 3751., 3752., 3767., 6109., and 6111. of the Revised Code and rules adopted under those chapters.

(2) Division (C) of this section does not create, and shall not be construed as creating, a new cause of action against or substantive legal right for the applicant.

(3) Division (C) of this section does not affect, and shall not be construed as affecting, any immunities from civil liability or defenses established by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which an applicant may be entitled.

(4) Nothing in division (C) of this section shall be construed as affecting any obligations to comply with any environmental laws established in the Revised Code or the common law of the state with respect to any release of hazardous substances or petroleum after the issuance of a covenant not to sue under Chapter 3746. of the Revised Code or a determination made under division (G) of section 122.654 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-26-2001.