(a) Any manufacturer battery fees remitted pursuant to this article shall, subject to subdivision (b) of Section 25215.3, be credited to the account of the manufacturer remitting those fees to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and shall be credited against amounts owed by the manufacturer to the state pursuant to a judgment or determination of liability under Part 2 (commencing with Section 78000) of Division 45 or any other law for removal, remediation, or other response costs relating to a release of a hazardous substance from a lead-acid battery recycling facility. A manufacturer shall not seek more than one credit for the same fee amount. This subdivision does not apply to any manufacturer who is also an owner or operator of a lead-acid battery recycling facility in California.

(b) The amount paid by a manufacturer for a manufacturer battery fee shall be considered to reduce the manufacturer’s share of liability in the allocation or apportionment of costs among potentially responsible parties in a contribution action brought by a private party related to a release of hazardous substances from a lead-acid battery recycling facility. This subdivision does not apply to any manufacturer who is also an owner or operator or a former owner or operator of a lead-acid battery recycling facility in California where a release occurred.

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(c) This article does not create a private cause of action. Nothing in this article shall be construed to affect, expand, alter, or limit any requirements, duties, rights, or remedies under other law, or limit the state or any other party from bringing any cause of action that may exist under any law.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 258, Sec. 59. (AB 2327) Effective January 1, 2023. Operative January 1, 2024, pursuant to Sec. 130 of Stats. 2022, Ch. 258.)