California · Water Code

WAT §13265: (a) Any person discharging waste in violation of Section 13264, after such violation has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civ

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Discharging waste in violation of Section 13264 after written notice is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties up to $1,000–$5,000 per day may also apply; hazardous waste violations carry higher penalties up to $25,000 per day.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Any person discharging waste in violation of Section 13264, after such violation has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (b). Each day of such discharge shall constitute a separate offense. (b) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. (2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (a) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. (c) Any person discharging hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, in violation of Section 13264 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in accordance with subdivision (d). That liability shall not be imposed if the discharger is not negligent and immediately files a report of the discharge with the board, or if the regional board determines that the violation of Section 13264 was insubstantial. This subdivision shall not be applicable to any waste discharge which is subject to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370). (d) (1) Civil liability may be administratively imposed by a regional board in accordance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 13323) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day in which the violation occurs. (2) Civil liability may be imposed by the superior court in accordance with Articles 5 (commencing with Section 13350) and 6 (commencing with Section 13360) of Chapter 5 for a violation of subdivision (c) in an amount which shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day in which the violation occurs.

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