A1841 TR

An Act concerning the issuance of false statements or representations in violation of certain environmental laws and amending P.L.1970, c.39, P.L.1976, c.141, P.L.1977, c.74, P.L.1983, c.330, P.L.1991, c.123, and P.L.1993, c.112.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 9 of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-9) is amended to read as follows:

9. a. All codes, rules and regulations adopted by the department related to solid waste collection and disposal shall have the force and effect of law. These codes, rules and regulations shall be observed throughout the State and shall be enforced by the department and by every local board of health, or county health department, as the case may be.

The department and the local board of health, or the county health department, as the case may be, shall have the right to enter a solid waste facility at any time in order to determine compliance with the registration statement and engineering design required pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-5), and with the provisions of all applicable laws or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

The municipal attorney or an attorney retained by a municipality in which a violation of such laws or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto is alleged to have occurred shall act as counsel to a local board of health.

The county counsel or an attorney retained by a county in which a violation of such laws or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto is alleged to have occurred shall act as counsel to the county health department.

Any county health department may charge and collect from the owner or operator of any sanitary landfill facility within its jurisdiction such fees for enforcement activities as may be established by ordinance or resolution adopted by the governing body of any such county. The fees shall be established in accordance with a fee schedule regulation adopted by the department, pursuant to law, and shall be utilized exclusively to fund such enforcement activities.

All enforcement activities undertaken by county health departments pursuant to this subsection shall conform to all applicable performance and administrative standards adopted pursuant to section 10 of the "County Environmental Health Act," P.L.1977, c.443 (C.26:3A2-28).

b. Whenever the commissioner finds that a person has violated any provision of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.), or any rule or regulation adopted, permit issued, or district solid waste management plan adopted pursuant to P.L.1970, c.39, [he] the commissioner shall:

(1) Issue an order requiring the person found to be in violation to comply in accordance with subsection c. of this section;

(2) Bring a civil action in accordance with subsection d. of this section;

(3) Levy a civil administrative penalty in accordance with subsection e. of this section;

(4) Bring an action for a civil penalty in accordance with subsection f. of this section; or

(5) Petition the Attorney General to bring a criminal action in accordance with subsection g. of this section.

c. Whenever the commissioner finds that a person has violated any provision of P.L.1970, c.39, or any rule or regulation adopted, permit issued, or district solid waste management plan adopted pursuant to P.L.1970, c.39, [he] the commissioner may issue an order specifying the provision or provisions of P.L.1970, c.39, or the rule, regulation, permit or district solid waste management plan of which the person is in violation, citing the action which constituted the violation, ordering abatement of the violation, and giving notice to the person of [his] the person’s right to a hearing on the matters contained in the order. The ordered party shall have 20 calendar days from receipt of the order within which to deliver to the commissioner a written request for a hearing. Such order shall be effective upon receipt and any person to whom such order is directed shall comply with the order immediately. A request for hearing shall not automatically stay the effect of the order.

d. The commissioner, a local board of health or county health department may institute an action or proceeding in the Superior Court for injunctive and other relief, including the appointment of a receiver for any violation of this act, or of any code, rule or regulation adopted, permit issued, district solid waste management plan adopted or order issued pursuant to this act and said court may proceed in the action in a summary manner. In any such proceeding the court may grant temporary or interlocutory relief, notwithstanding the provisions of R.S.48:2-24.

Such relief may include, singly or in combination:

(1) A temporary or permanent injunction;

(2) Assessment of the violator for the costs of any investigation, inspection, or monitoring survey which led to the establishment of the violation, and for the reasonable costs of preparing and litigating the case under this subsection;

(3) Assessment of the violator for any cost incurred by the State in removing, correcting or terminating the adverse effects upon water and air quality resulting from any violation of any provision of this act or any rule, regulation or condition of approval for which the action under this subsection may have been brought;

(4) Assessment against the violator of compensatory damages for any loss or destruction of wildlife, fish or aquatic life, and for any other actual damages caused by any violation of this act or any rule, regulation or condition of approval established pursuant to this act for which the action under this subsection may have been brought. Assessments under this subsection shall be paid to the State Treasurer, or to the local board of health, or to the county health department, as the case may be, except that compensatory damages may be paid by specific order of the court to any persons who have been aggrieved by the violation.

If a proceeding is instituted by a local board of health or county health department, notice thereof shall be served upon the commissioner in the same manner as if the commissioner were a named party to the action or proceeding. The department may intervene as a matter of right in any proceeding brought by a local board of health or county health department.

e. The commissioner is authorized to assess a civil administrative penalty of not more than [$50,000.00] $50,000 for each violation provided that each day during which the violation continues shall constitute an additional, separate and distinct offense. The [commission] commissioner shall not assess a civil administrative penalty in excess of [$25,000.00] $25,000 for a single violation, or in excess of [$2,500.00] $2,500 for each day during which a violation continues, until the department has adopted, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), regulations requiring the commissioner, in assessing a civil administrative penalty, to consider the operational history of the solid waste facility at which the violation occurred, the severity of the violation, the measures taken to mitigate or prevent further violations, and whether the penalty will maintain an appropriate deterrent. No assessment shall be levied pursuant to this section until after the violator has been notified by certified mail or personal service. The notice shall include a reference to the section of the statute, rule, regulation, order, permit condition or district solid waste management plan violated, a concise statement of the facts alleged to constitute a violation, a statement of the amount of the civil administrative penalties to be imposed, and a statement of the party's right to a hearing. The ordered party shall have 20 calendar days from receipt of the notice within which to deliver to the commissioner a written request for a hearing. After the hearing and upon finding that a violation has occurred, the commissioner may issue a final order after assessing the amount of the fine specified in the notice. If no hearing is requested, the notice shall become a final order after the expiration of the 20-day period. Payment of the assessment is due when a final order is issued or the notice becomes a final order. The authority to levy a civil administrative penalty is in addition to all other enforcement provisions in P.L.1970, c.39, and the payment of any assessment shall not be deemed to affect the availability of any other enforcement provisions in connection with the violation for which the assessment is levied. The department may compromise any civil administrative penalty assessed under this section in an amount the department determines appropriate.

f. Any person who violates the provisions of P.L.1970, c.39, [or] any code, rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto , or who knowingly, recklessly, or negligently makes any false or misleading statement on any hazardous waste application, label, manifest, record, report, design or other document required to be submitted to the department shall be liable to a penalty of not more than [$50,000.00] $50,000 per day, to be collected in a civil action commenced by a local board of health, a county health department, or the commissioner.

Any person who violates an administrative order issued pursuant to subsection c. of this section, or a court order issued pursuant to subsection d. of this section, or who fails to pay an administrative assessment in full pursuant to subsection e. of this section is subject upon order of a court to a civil penalty not to exceed [$100,000.00] $100,000 per day of such violations.

Of the penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection, 10% or [$250.00] $250 , whichever is greater, shall be paid to the department from the General Fund if the Attorney General determines that a person is entitled to a reward pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1987, c.158 (C.13:1E-9.2). In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. Economic benefits may include: the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation.

Any penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection may be collected with costs in a summary proceeding pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) . The Superior Court and the municipal court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of ["the penalty enforcement law"] the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," in connection with [this act] P.L. 1970, c.39 .

g. Any person who knowingly:

(1) Transports any hazardous waste to a facility or any other place which does not have authorization from the department to accept such waste;

(2) Generates and causes or permits to be transported any hazardous waste to a facility or any other place which does not have authorization from the department to accept such waste;

(3) Disposes, treats, stores or transports hazardous waste without authorization from the department;

(4) Makes any false or misleading statement to any person who prepares any hazardous waste application, label, manifest, record, report, design or other document required to be submitted to the department; or

(5) Makes any false or misleading statement on any hazardous waste application, label, manifest, record, report, design or other document required to be submitted to the department shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the third degree and, notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3, shall be subject to a fine of not more than [$50,000.00] $50,000 for the first offense and not more than [$100,000.00] $100,000 for the second and each subsequent offense and restitution, in addition to any other appropriate disposition authorized by subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-2.

h. Any person who recklessly:

(1) Transports any hazardous waste to a facility or any other place which does not have authorization from the department to accept such waste;

(2) Generates and causes or permits to be transported any hazardous waste to a facility or any other place which does not have authorization from the department to accept such waste;

(3) Disposes, treats, stores or transports hazardous waste without authorization from the department;

i. Any person who, regardless of intent, generates and causes or permits any hazardous waste to be transported, transports, or receives transported hazardous waste without completing and submitting to the department a hazardous waste manifest in accordance with the provisions of this act or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

j. All conveyances used or intended for use in the willful discharge, in violation of the provisions of P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.), of any solid waste, or hazardous waste as defined in P.L.1976, c.99 (C.13:1E-38 et seq.) are subject to forfeiture to the State pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.387 (C.13:1K-1 et seq.).

k. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.1997, c.325.)

l. Pursuit of any remedy specified in this section shall not preclude the pursuit of any other remedy provided by any other law. Administrative and judicial remedies provided in this section may be pursued simultaneously.

(cf: P.L.1997, c.325, s.3)

2. Section 8 of P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-13) is amended to read as follows:

8. a. Failure of the transferor to perform a remediation and obtain department approval thereof as required pursuant to the provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-6 et al.) is grounds for voiding the sale or transfer of an industrial establishment or any real property utilized in connection therewith by the transferee, entitles the transferee to recover damages from the transferor, and renders the owner or operator of the industrial establishment strictly liable, without regard to fault, for all remediation costs and for all direct and indirect damages resulting from the failure to implement the remedial action workplan. A transferee may not act to void the sale or transfer of an industrial establishment or any real property except upon providing notice to the transferor of the failure to perform and affording the transferor a reasonable amount of time to comply with the provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-6 et al.) . A transferee may bring an action in Superior Court to void the sale or transfer of an industrial establishment or any real property or to recover damages from the transferor, pursuant to this section.

b. Any person who knowingly , recklessly, or negligently gives or causes to be given any false information or who fails to comply with the provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-6 et al.) is liable for a penalty of not more than [$25,000.00] $25,000 for each offense. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall constitute an additional and separate offense. In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. Economic benefits may include: the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation. Penalties shall be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Any officer or management official of an industrial establishment who knowingly directs or authorizes the violation of any provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.330 (C.13:1K-6 et al.) shall be personally liable for the penalties established in this subsection.

(cf: P.L.1997, c.278, s.47)

3. Section 4 of P.L.1993, c.112 (C.58:10-23.11g7) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. Nothing in sections 1 through 5 of P.L.1993, c.112 (C.58:10-23.11g4 through 58:10-23.11g8) shall be deemed to prohibit or limit the rights of the Department of Environmental Protection to clean up a property or to obtain a lien on the property of a discharger or holder in order to recover cleanup costs pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11f). Any recovery of cleanup costs from a holder pursuant to a lien obtained by the Department of Environmental Protection shall be limited to the actual financial benefit conferred on such holder by a cleanup or removal action, and shall not exceed the amount realized by the holder on the sale or other disposition of the property.

b. Nothing in sections 1 through 5 of P.L. 1993, c. 112 (C.58:10-23.11g4 through 58:10-23.11g8) shall be deemed to prohibit or limit the rights of the Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11f), to direct the holder to take any emergency response actions, including closure of the vessel, facility, or underground storage tank facility, necessary to prevent, contain or mitigate a continuing or new discharge that poses an immediate threat to the environment or to the public health, safety or welfare.

c. (1) If a holder forecloses on a vessel, facility, or underground storage tank facility at which it has actual knowledge a discharge occurred or began prior to the date of foreclosure, the holder shall, within 30 days of the date of foreclosure, notify the Department of Environmental Protection that foreclosure has occurred. Any person who fails to give notice required pursuant to this subsection or who knowingly, recklessly, or negligently gives or causes to be given false information in any such report, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000. A court, in determining the amount of the penalty to be imposed, shall consider, among other relevant factors, the amount of any damages caused by the failure to give timely notice and whether the failure to notify was inadvertent or intentional. In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. Economic benefits may include: the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation.

(2) The holder shall immediately notify the Department of Environmental Protection of any new discharge, of which it has actual knowledge, occurring after the date of foreclosure, from the vessel, facility, or underground storage tank facility. Any person who fails to give notice required pursuant to this subsection or who knowingly, recklessly, or negligently gives or causes to be given any false information in any such report, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per day for each violation. A court, in determining the amount of the penalty to be imposed and the appropriateness of imposing multiple penalties for a continuing offense, shall consider, among other relevant factors, the amount of any damages caused by the failure to give timely notice and whether the failure to notify was inadvertent or intentional. In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation.

(3) Any penalty incurred under this section may be recovered with costs in a summary proceeding pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) , in the Superior Court or a municipal court. Failure to give any required notice pursuant to this subsection shall not cause the holder to lose its status as a person who maintains indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest.

(cf: P.L.1997, c.278, s.32)

4. Section 22 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11u) is amended to read as follows:

22. a. (1) Whenever, on the basis of available information, the department determines that a person is in violation of a provision of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.), including any rule, regulation, plan, information request, access request, order or directive promulgated or issued pursuant thereto, or that a person knowingly, recklessly, or negligently has given false testimony, documents or information to the department, the department may:

(a) bring a civil action in accordance with subsection b. of this section;

(b) levy a civil administrative penalty in accordance with subsection c. of this section; or

Use of any remedy specified in this section shall not preclude use of any other remedy. The department may simultaneously pursue administrative and judicial remedies provided in this section.

b. The department may commence a civil action in Superior Court for, singly or in combination:

(1) a temporary or permanent injunction;

(2) the costs of any investigation, cleanup or removal, and for the reasonable costs of preparing and successfully litigating an action under this subsection;

(3) the cost of restoring, repairing, or replacing real or personal property damaged or destroyed by a discharge, any income lost from the time the property is damaged to the time it is restored, repaired or replaced, and any reduction in value of the property caused by the discharge by comparison with its value prior thereto;

(4) the cost of restoration and replacement, where practicable, of any natural resource damaged or destroyed by a discharge; and

(5) any other costs incurred by the department pursuant to P.L.1976, c.141.

Compensatory damages for damages awarded to a person other than the State shall be paid to the person injured by the discharge.

c. (1) The department may assess a civil administrative penalty of not more than $50,000 for each violation, and each day of violation shall constitute an additional, separate and distinct violation. A civil administrative penalty shall not be levied until a violator has been notified by certified mail or personal service of:

(a) the statutory or regulatory basis of the violation;

(b) the specific citation of the act or omission constituting the violation;

(d) the right of the violator to a hearing on any matter contained in the notice and the procedures for requesting a hearing.

(2) (a) A violator shall have 20 calendar days following receipt of notice within which to request a hearing on any matter contained in the notice, and shall comply with all procedures for requesting a hearing. Failure to submit a timely request or to comply with all departmental procedures shall constitute grounds for denial of a hearing request. After a hearing and upon a finding that a violation has occurred, the department shall issue a final order assessing the amount of the civil administrative penalty specified in the notice. If a violator does not request a hearing or fails to satisfy the statutory and administrative requirements for requesting a hearing, the notice of assessment of a civil administrative penalty shall become a final order on the 21st calendar day following receipt of the notice by the violator. If the department denies a hearing request, the notice of denial shall become a final order upon receipt of the notice by the violator.

(b) A civil administrative penalty may be settled by the department on such terms and conditions as the department may determine.

(c) Payment of a civil administrative penalty shall not be deemed to affect the availability of any other enforcement remedy in connection with the violation for which the penalty was levied.

(3) If a civil administrative penalty imposed pursuant to this section is not paid within 30 days of the date that the penalty is due and owing, and the penalty is not contested by the person against whom the penalty has been assessed, or the person fails to make a payment pursuant to a payment schedule entered into with the department, an interest charge shall accrue on the amount of the penalty from the 30th day that amount was due and owing. In the case of an appeal of a civil administrative penalty, if the amount of the penalty is upheld, in whole or in part, the rate of interest shall be calculated on that amount as of the 30th day from the date the amount was due and owing under the administrative order. The rate of interest shall be that established by the New Jersey Supreme Court for interest rates on judgments, as set forth in the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey.

(4) The department may assess and recover, by civil administrative order, the costs of any investigation, cleanup or removal, and the reasonable costs of preparing and successfully enforcing a civil administrative penalty pursuant to this subsection. The assessment may be recovered at the same time as a civil administrative penalty, and shall be in addition to the penalty assessment.

d. Any person who violates a provision of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11 et seq.), or a court order issued pursuant thereto, or who fails to pay a civil administrative penalty in full or to agree to a schedule of payments therefor, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed [$50,000.00] $50,000 per day for each violation, and each day's continuance of the violation shall constitute a separate violation. Any penalty incurred under this subsection may be recovered with costs in a summary proceeding pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) in the Superior Court or a municipal court. In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. Economic benefits may include: the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation.

e. All conveyances used or intended for use in the willful discharge of any hazardous substance are subject to forfeiture to the
State pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.387 (C.13:1K-1 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.1990, c.75, s.1)

5. Section 10 of P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-10) is amended to read as follows:

10. a. Whenever the commissioner finds that any person is in violation of any provision of [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , [he] the commissioner shall:

(1) Issue an order requiring any such person to comply in accordance with subsection b. of this section; or

(2) Bring a civil action in accordance with subsection c. of this section; or

(3) Levy a civil administrative penalty in accordance with subsection d. of this section; or

(4) Bring an action for a civil penalty in accordance with subsection e. of this section; or

(5) Petition the Attorney General to bring a criminal action in accordance with subsection f. of this section.

Use of any of the remedies specified under this section shall not preclude use of any other remedy specified.

In the case of one or more pollutants for which interim enforcement limits have been established pursuant to an administrative order, including an administrative consent order, by the department or a local agency, the permittee shall be liable for the enforcement limits stipulated therein.

b. Whenever the commissioner finds that any person is in violation of any provision of [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , [he] the commissioner may issue an order (1) specifying the provision or provisions of [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 , or the rule, regulation, water quality standard, effluent limitation, or permit of which [he] the person is in violation, (2) citing the action which caused such violation, (3) requiring compliance with such provision or provisions, and (4) giving notice to the person of [his] the person’s right to a hearing on the matters contained in the order.

c. The commissioner is authorized to commence a civil action in Superior Court for appropriate relief for any violation of [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) or of a permit issued hereunder. Such relief may include, singly or in combination:

(1) A temporary or permanent injunction;

(2) Assessment of the violator for the reasonable costs of any investigation, inspection, or monitoring survey which led to the establishment of the violation, and for the reasonable costs of preparing and litigating the case under this subsection;

(3) Assessment of the violator for any reasonable cost incurred by the State in removing, correcting or terminating the adverse effects upon water quality resulting from any unauthorized discharge of pollutants for which the action under this subsection may have been brought;

(4) Assessment against the violator of compensatory damages for any loss or destruction of wildlife, fish or aquatic life, or other natural resources, and for any other actual damages caused by an unauthorized discharge;

(5) Assessment against a violator of the actual amount of any economic benefits accruing to the violator from a violation. Economic benefits may include the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation ; and

(6) Assessment against a violator who knowingly, recklessly, or negligently makes a false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to P.L.1977, c.74, including the amount of any actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from a violation. Economic benefits may include: the amount of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation .

Assessments under paragraph (4) of this subsection shall be paid to the State Treasurer, except that compensatory damages shall be paid by specific order of the court to any persons who have been aggrieved by the unauthorized discharge. Assessments pursuant to actions brought by the commissioner under paragraphs (2), (3) [and], (5) and (6) of this subsection shall be paid to the "Clean Water Enforcement Fund," established pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1990, c.28 (C.58:10A-14.4).

d. (1) (a) The commissioner is authorized to assess, in accordance with a uniform policy adopted therefor, a civil administrative penalty of not more than [$50,000.00] $50,000 for each violation and each day during which such violation continues shall constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. Any amount assessed under this subsection shall fall within a range established by regulation by the commissioner for violations of similar type, seriousness, and duration. The commissioner shall adopt, by regulation, a uniform assessment of civil penalties policy by January 1, 1992.

(b) In adopting rules for a uniform penalty policy for determining the amount of a penalty to be assessed, the commissioner shall take into account the type, seriousness, including extent, toxicity, and frequency of a violation based upon the harm to public health or the environment resulting from the violation, the economic benefits from the violation gained by the violator, the degree of cooperation or recalcitrance of the violator in remedying the violation, any measures taken by the violator to avoid a repetition of the violation, any unusual or extraordinary costs directly or indirectly imposed on the public by the violation other than costs recoverable pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection c. of this section, and any other pertinent factors that the commissioner determines measure the seriousness or frequency of the violation, or conduct of the violator.

(c) In addition to the assessment of a civil administrative penalty, the commissioner may, by administrative order and upon an appropriate finding, assess a violator for costs authorized pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection c. of this section.

(2) No assessment shall be levied pursuant to this subsection until after the discharger has been notified by certified mail or personal service. The notice shall include a reference to the section of the statute, regulation, order or permit condition violated; a concise statement of the facts alleged to constitute a violation; a statement of the amount of the civil penalties to be imposed; and a statement of the party's right to a hearing. The ordered party shall have 20 days from receipt of the notice within which to deliver to the commissioner a written request for a hearing. After the hearing and upon finding that a violation has occurred, the commissioner may issue a final order after assessing the amount of the fine specified in the notice. If no hearing is requested, then the notice shall become a final order after the expiration of the 20-day period. Payment of the assessment is due when a final order is issued or the notice becomes a final order.

(3) If a civil administrative penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection is not paid within 30 days of the date that the penalty is due and owing, and the penalty is not contested by the person against whom the penalty has been assessed, or the person fails to make a payment pursuant to a payment schedule entered into with the department, an interest charge shall accrue on the amount of the penalty due and owing from the 30th day after the date on which the penalty was due and owing. The rate of interest shall be that established by the New Jersey Supreme Court for interest rates on judgments, as set forth in the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey.

(4) The authority to levy a civil administrative penalty is in addition to all other enforcement provisions in [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , and the payment of any assessment shall not be deemed to affect the availability of any other enforcement provisions in connection with the violation for which the assessment is levied. Any civil administrative penalty assessed under this section may be compromised by the commissioner upon the posting of a performance bond by the violator, or upon such terms and conditions as the commissioner may establish by regulation, except that the amount compromised shall not be more than 50% of the assessed penalty, and in no instance shall the amount of that compromised penalty be less than the statutory minimum amount, if applicable, prescribed in section 6 of P.L.1990, c.28 (C.58:10A-10.1). In the case of a violator who is a local agency that enters into an administrative consent order, the terms of which require the local agency to take prescribed measures to comply with its permit, the commissioner shall have full discretion to compromise the amount of penalties assessed or due for violations occurring during a period up to 24 months preceding the entering into the administrative consent order; except that the amount of the compromised penalty may not be less than the statutory minimum amount, if applicable, prescribed in section 6 of P.L.1990, c.28 (C.58:10A-10.1). A civil administrative penalty assessed against a local agency for a violation of an administrative consent order may not be compromised by more than 50% of the assessed penalty. In no instance shall the amount of a compromised penalty assessed against a local agency be less than the statutory minimum amount, if applicable, prescribed in section 6 of P.L.1990, c.28 (C.58:10A-10.1). The commissioner shall not compromise the amount of any component of a civil administrative penalty which represents the economic benefit gained by the violator from the violation.

(5) A person, other than a local agency, appealing a penalty assessed against that person in accordance with this subsection, whether contested as a contested case pursuant to P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) or by appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction, shall, as a condition of filing the appeal, post with the commissioner a refundable bond, or other security approved by the commissioner, in the amount of the civil administrative penalty assessed. If the department's assessed penalty is upheld in full or in part, the department shall be entitled to a daily interest charge on the amount of the judgment from the date of the posting of the security with the commissioner and until paid in full. The rate of interest shall be that established by the New Jersey Supreme Court for interest rates on judgments, as set forth in the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey. In addition, if the amount of the penalty assessed by the department is upheld in full in an appeal of the assessment at an administrative hearing or at a court of competent jurisdiction, the person appealing the penalty shall reimburse the department for all reasonable costs incurred by the department in preparing and litigating the imposition of the assessment, except that no litigation costs shall be imposed where the appeal ultimately results in a reduction or elimination of the assessed penalty.

(6) A civil administrative penalty imposed pursuant to a final order:

(a) may be collected or enforced by summary proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with ["the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) ; or

(b) shall constitute a debt of the violator or discharger and the civil administrative penalty may be docketed with the clerk of the Superior Court, and shall have the same standing as any judgment docketed pursuant to N.J.S.2A:16-1; except that no lien shall attach to the real property of a violator pursuant to this subsection if the violator posts a refundable bond or other security with the commissioner pursuant to an appeal of a final order to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. No lien shall attach to the property of a local agency.

(7) The commissioner shall refer to the Attorney General and the county prosecutor of the county in which the violations occurred the record of violations of any permittee determined to be a significant noncomplier.

e. Any person who violates [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) or an administrative order issued pursuant to subsection b. or a court order issued pursuant to subsection c., or who fails to pay a civil administrative penalty in full pursuant to subsection d., or to make a payment pursuant to a payment schedule entered into with the department, shall be subject upon order of a court to a civil penalty not to exceed [$50,000.00] $50,000 per day of such violation, and each day's continuance of the violation shall constitute a separate violation. Any penalty incurred under this subsection may be recovered with costs, and, if applicable, interest charges, in a summary proceeding pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) . In addition to any civil penalties, costs or interest charges, the court, in accordance with [paragraph] paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection c. of this section, may assess against a violator the amount of any actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from the violation. The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction to enforce ["the penalty enforcement law"] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999" in conjunction with [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 .

f. (1) (a) Any person who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly violates [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , and the violation causes a significant adverse environmental effect, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the second degree, and shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, be subject to a fine of not less than $25,000 nor more than $250,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment, or by both.

(b) As used in this paragraph, a significant adverse environmental effect exists when an action or omission of the defendant causes: serious harm or damage to wildlife, freshwater or saltwater fish, any other aquatic or marine life, water fowl, or to their habitats, or to livestock, or agricultural crops; serious harm, or degradation of, any ground or surface waters used for drinking, agricultural, navigational, recreational, or industrial purposes; or any other serious articulable harm or damage to, or degradation of, the lands or waters of the State, including ocean waters subject to its jurisdiction pursuant to P.L.1988, c.61 (C.58:10A-47 et seq.).

(2) Any person who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly violates [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , including making a false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, or other document filed or required to be maintained [under this act] P.L.1977, c.74 , or by falsifying, tampering with, or rendering inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained pursuant [to this act] thereto , or by failing to submit a monitoring report, or any portion thereof, required pursuant to [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 , shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the third degree, and shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, be subject to a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $75,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment, or by both.

(3) Any person who negligently violates [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.) , including making a false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, or other document filed or required to be maintained [under this act] P.L.1977, c.74 , or by falsifying, tampering with, or rendering inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained pursuant [to this act] thereto , or by failing to submit a discharge monitoring report, or any portion thereof, required pursuant to [this act] P.L.1977, c.74 , shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, and shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, be subject to a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment, or by both.

(4) Any person who purposely or knowingly violates an effluent limitation or other condition of a permit, or who discharges without a permit, and who knows at that time that he thereby places another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, as defined in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:11-1, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a crime of the first degree, and shall, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-3, be subject of a fine of not less than $50,000 nor more than $250,000, or, in the case of a corporation, a fine of not less than $200,000 nor more than $1,000,000, or by imprisonment or by both.

(5) As used in this subsection, "purposely," "knowingly," "recklessly," and "negligently" shall have the same meaning as defined in N.J.S.2C:2-2.

g. All conveyances used or intended for use in the purposeful or knowing discharge, in violation of the provisions of P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-1 et seq.), of any pollutant or toxic pollutant are subject to forfeiture to the State pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.387 (C.13:1K-1 et seq.).

h. The amendatory portions of this section, as set forth in P.L.1990, c.28 (C.58:10A-10.1 et al.), except for subsection f. of this section, shall not apply to violations occurring prior to July 1, 1991.

(cf: P.L. 1990, c.28, s.5)

6. Section 6 of P.L.1991, c.123 (C.58:10A-24.6) is amended to read as follows:

6. a. If a person violates any of the provisions of [this act] P.L.1991, c.123 (C.58:10A-24.1 et seq.) or any rule or regulation adopted, or order issued, thereunder, the department may institute a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or other appropriate relief to prohibit and prevent the violation, and the court may proceed in the action in a summary manner.

b. Any person who violates the provisions of [this act] P.L.1991, c.123 (C.58:10A-24.1 et seq.) , or any rule or regulation adopted, or order issued, hereunder, is liable to a civil administrative penalty of not more than $5,000 for the first offense, not more than $10,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third and each subsequent offense. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day of violation subsequent to receipt of an order to cease the violation constitutes an additional, separate and distinct offense. No civil administrative penalty shall be levied except subsequent to the notification of the violator by certified mail or personal service. The notice shall include a reference to the section of the statute, regulation, order or permit condition violated; a concise statement of the facts alleged to constitute the violation; a statement of the amount of the civil penalty to be imposed; and a statement of the violator's right to a hearing. The violator shall have 20 days from receipt of notice within which to deliver to the department a written request for a hearing. Subsequent to the hearing and upon a finding that a violation has occurred, the department may issue a final order assessing the amount of the penalty. If no hearing is requested, the notice shall become a final order upon the expiration of the 20-day period. Payment of the penalty is due when a final order is issued or when the notice becomes a final order. Agreement to, or payment of a civil administrative penalty shall not be deemed to affect the availability of any other enforcement provision in connection with the violation for which the penalty is levied.

c. Any person who violates the provisions of [this act] P.L.1991, c.123 (C.58:10A-24.1 et seq.) or who knowingly, recklessly, or negligently makes a false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to P.L.1991, c.123, is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for the first offense, not more than $10,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third and each subsequent offense. Any person violating an administrative order issued pursuant to subsection b. of this section, or a court order issued pursuant to subsection a. of this section, or who fails to pay a civil administrative penalty when due and owing as provided in subsection b. of this section, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 per day of the violation. Each day's continuance of a violation constitutes a separate and distinct violation. Any penalty imposed under this subsection may be recovered with costs in a summary proceeding pursuant to ["the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.)] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.) . In addition to any penalties, costs or interest charges, the court may assess against the violator the amount of actual economic benefits accruing to the violator from a violation. Economic benefits may include the amount: of any savings realized from avoided capital or noncapital costs resulting from the violation; the return earned or that may be earned on the amount of avoided costs; any benefits accruing to the violator as a result of a competitive market advantage enjoyed by reason of the violation; or any other benefits resulting from the violation. The Law Division of the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction to enforce ["the penalty enforcement law."] the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999."

d. The department may compromise and settle any claim for a penalty under this section in such amount as the department may determine to be appropriate and equitable under all of the circumstances.

e. Any person who fails to contest or to pay, in whole or in part, a penalty imposed pursuant to this section, or who fails to agree to a payment schedule therefor, within 30 days of the date that the penalty is due and owing, shall be subject to an interest charge on the amount of the penalty from the date that the amount was due and owing. The rate of interest shall be that established by the New Jersey Supreme Court for interest rates on judgments, as set forth in the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey.

f. The penalty provisions of this section shall be in addition to such penalties as may be assessable pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1986, c.102 (C.58:10A-32) for violations of [that act] P.L.1986, c.102 .

g. All penalties, monies, and any interest thereon, assessed and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the "New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund," established pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11i) for use for any of the authorized purposes of the fund. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to penalties assessed and collected pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1986, c.102 (C.58:10A-32).

(cf: P.L.1991, c.123, s.6)

7. This act shall take effect immediately.