(a) There is in the General Fund the Site Remediation Account, which shall be administered by the director. The account shall be funded by money transferred from the state account, upon appropriation by the Legislature. Consistent with the requirements of Section 104(c) of the federal act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(c)), the moneys in the account may be expended by the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for direct site remediation costs.
(b) (1) For purposes of this section, “direct site remediation costs” means payments to contractors for investigations, characterizations, removal, remediation, or long-term operation and maintenance at sites contaminated or suspected of contamination by hazardous materials, where those actions are authorized pursuant to this part.
(2) “Direct site remediation costs” also means the state-mandated share pursuant to Section 104(c)(3) of the federal act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(c)(3)).
(3) “Direct site remediation costs” does not include the department’s administrative expenses or the department’s expenses for staff to perform oversight of investigations, characterizations, removals, remediations, or long-term operation and maintenance.