35-9-158. Expense recovery and civil remedies.

(a) The decision to commence a civil action to recover expenses shall be made by the state, political subdivision of the state or other unit of local government, including local emergency response authorities and regional response teams, in consultation with the attorney general or county or municipal attorney as appropriate. With respect to a civil action to recover expenses for a clandestine laboratory operation incident, the governing body shall first make such claim against the party responsible for the clandestine laboratory operation and shall use the proceeds of any asset forfeiture directly related to the building or structure containing the clandestine laboratory to offset expenses, including expenses for remediation of the site. Claims of expenses for remediation for a clandestine laboratory operation incident may be made against the owner of a building or structure containing a clandestine laboratory operation only as follows:

(i) The law enforcement agency acting as an emergency responder shall keep an accurate account of the expenses incurred in carrying out the remediation and shall report the actions and present a statement of the expenses incurred and the amount received from any salvage sale to the court for approval and allowance;

(ii) The court shall examine, correct, if necessary, and allow the expense account to the extent the expenses exceed those recovered from the party responsible for the clandestine laboratory operation. If the owner did not know or could not with reasonable diligence have known of the clandestine laboratory operation, the amount recoverable from the owner shall be limited to one percent (1%) of the fair market value as determined by the county assessor of that portion of the building, structure or land declared uninhabitable by the incident commander;

(iii) The amount allowed by the court constitutes a lien against the real property on which a clandestine laboratory operation incident occurred or was situated. If the amount is not paid by the owner within six (6) months after the amount has been examined and approved by the court, the real estate may be sold under court order by the county sheriff in the manner provided by law for the sale of real estate upon execution;

(iv) The proceeds of the sale shall be paid into the treasury of the governing body of the law enforcement agency acting as the emergency responder. If the amount received as salvage or upon sale exceeds the expenses allowed by the court, the court shall direct payment of the surplus to the previous owner for his use and benefit;

(v) Whenever any debt which is a lien pursuant to this subsection is paid and satisfied, the law enforcement agency acting as an emergency responder shall file notice of satisfaction of the lien statement in the office of the county clerk of any county in which the lien is filed; and

(vi) If the expenses of the law enforcement agency exceed the amount allowed by the court pursuant to paragraph (ii) of this subsection, the law enforcement agency acting as an emergency responder may apply for reimbursement of the excess expenses from the funds as authorized by W.S. 1-40-118(g)(i)(C). If the expenses further exceed amounts available under W.S. 1-40-118(g)(i)(C), the emergency responder may apply for reimbursement from the clandestine laboratory remediation account created pursuant to W.S. 35-9-159(f).

(b) Prior to commencing a civil action for recovery of expenses pursuant to this act, the governmental entity shall afford the person alleged to owe those expenses a reasonable opportunity to engage in nonbinding mediation. Each party to mediation shall bear his own costs and expenses, including a proportionate share of the fees of the mediator.

(c) In the event that the attorney general or county or municipal attorney prevails in a civil action for reimbursement under this act, the court shall award costs of collection including reasonable attorney's fees, investigation expenses and litigation expenses.

(d) Any person who receives remuneration for the emergency response expenses pursuant to any other federal or state law shall be precluded from recovering reimbursement for those expenses under this act. Nothing in this act shall otherwise affect or modify in any way the obligations or liability of any person under any other provision of state or federal law, including common law, for damages, injury or loss resulting from the release of any hazardous material or for remedial action or the expenses of remedial action for the release.