CS/CS/CS/HB 697 - Petroleum Restoration Program

• Eliminates the June 30, 1996 application deadline and removes liability relief restrictions for persons who acquired property title after specific dates in the Abandoned Tank Restoration Program.

• Allows sites with ownership changes to participate in petroleum cleanup programs regardless of change in ownership status.

• Revises low-scored site initiative criteria and funding: reduces completion timeline from 15 to 6 months, decreases individual site cost limit from $30,000 to threshold amount, and caps annual encumbrance at $10 million (reduced from $15 million).

• Increases advanced cleanup program contracting capacity from $15 million to $25 million per fiscal year and authorizes voluntary cost-share agreements allowing property owners and responsible parties to bundle multiple sites.

• Clarifies that site rehabilitation completion orders do not alter eligibility for state-funded remediation and allows up to $100,000 supplemental funding for additional remediation and monitoring when necessary; effective July 1, 2016.