NC S574

Exempts civil actions for personal injury or property damage caused by consumption, exposure, or use of groundwater contaminated with hazardous substances from the ten-year statute of repose in G.S. 1-52(16).

Defines "contaminated by a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant" as concentrations exceeding groundwater quality standards set forth in 15A NCAC 2L .0202.

Creates new G.S. 130A-26.3 to allow groundwater contamination claims to proceed beyond the ten-year repose period.

Effective when signed into law and applies to actions arising or pending on or after that date, with an expiration date of June 19, 2023.

Responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's CTS Corp. v. Waldburger decision, which the General Assembly found inconsistent with its intent to maximize time for claimants to bring contamination exposure claims.