AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING CHAPTER 60.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE :
Section 1. Amend Section 6005 (c) of Title 7 of the Delaware Code by striking the entire section and replacing it with:
“(c) Whenever the Secretary determines that any person has violated this chapter, or a rule, or regulation, or condition of a permit issued pursuant to § 6003, or an order of the Secretary, said person shall be liable for all expenses incurred by the Department (1) in abating the violation or (2) controlling a pollution incident related to the violation or (3) cleanup and restoration of the environment or (4) the costs incurred by the Department in recovering such expenses. Such expenses shall include, but not be limited to, the costs of investigation, legal fees and assistance, public hearings, materials, equipment, human resources, contractual assistance and appropriate salary and overtime pay for all state employees involved in the effort notwithstanding merit system laws, regulations or rules to the contrary. The Secretary shall submit a detailed billing of expenses to the liable person. In the event the liable person desires to challenge the detailed billing submitted by the Secretary, such person shall, within 20 days of receipt of the detailed billing request an administrative hearing before the Secretary. Testimony at the administrative hearing shall be under oath and shall be restricted to issues relating to (1) the finding of violation and (2) the billing of expenses submitted by the Secretary. A verbatim transcript of testimony at the hearing shall be prepared and shall, along with the exhibits and other documents introduced by the Secretary or other party, constitute the record. The Secretary shall make findings of fact based on the record, and enter an order which shall contain reasons supporting the decision. An appeal of the decision of the Secretary may be perfected to Superior Court within 30 days of the decision of the Secretary. In lieu of holding an administrative hearing on the detailed billing, or in the event a liable person fails or refuses to pay any of the expenses listed in the detailed billing, the Secretary may seek to compel payment through the initiation of a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction within the State of Delaware. This subsection shall not be affected by the appeal provisions of § 6008 of this title.”