35-11-1428. Uses of financial responsibility account monies.

(a) As provided in this section, the department shall, on application by an owner or operator, direct the payment of monies from the financial responsibility account to satisfy judgments against the owner or operator for third party property damage or personal injury.

(b) The attorney general shall be served by certified mail return receipt requested with a copy of the complaint filed in any suit initiated against an owner or operator for third party property damage or personal injury. Service of the complaint on the attorney general is a jurisdictional requirement in order to maintain the suit. The attorney general shall be notified in writing by certified mail return receipt requested of any judgment, compromise, settlement or release entered into by an owner or operator. As provided in this section, the department shall, on application by an owner or operator, direct the payment of monies from the financial responsibility account to pay settlements for third party property damage or personal injury on terms negotiated by the attorney general and approved by the council.

(c) The monies from the financial responsibility account shall only be used to pay judgments and settlements not to exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), for all the damages arising from releases from one (1) or more of the tanks on a site, provided that the owner or operator:

(i) Shall remain liable for payment of the judgment or settlement up to, but not exceeding, thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00). The department may bring an action against the owner or operator to recover any amount paid by the department pursuant to a judgment or settlement for which the owner or operator remains liable under this paragraph;

(ii) Has not been relieved of his responsibility for the judgment or settlement by operation of law or otherwise. For purposes of this paragraph, an owner or operator shall not be deemed to have been relieved of his responsibility for the judgment or settlement by virtue of the Governmental Claims Act; and

(iii) Pays the tank fee required by W.S. 35-11-1424(e) or 35-11-1425, conducts a minimum site assessment, as defined by rule and regulation, and, if contamination is found, takes action to prevent continuing contamination.

(d) Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the department to obligate funds from the financial responsibility account for payment of costs which may be associated with, but are not integral to, the personal injury or property damage such as the costs for modifying, removing or replacing tanks.

(e) The department shall establish a priority list for purposes of the financial responsibility account. The department shall not approve use of monies from the financial responsibility account if there are insufficient monies in the account to fund the application before the department and all other outstanding commitments.

(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize commitments to cover property or personal injury damages in excess of the balance in the financial responsibility account.

(g) Within thirty (30) days after receipt of notification that the financial responsibility account has become incapable of paying for assured third party compensation costs, the owner or operator shall obtain alternate financial assurance.