(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the person responsible for a quarry or pit is the current operator of the quarry or pit, except that if a quarry or pit was abandoned on or before January 1, 1991, or became inactive before that date and has not resumed operations, or if no operator exists, then the owner in which the pit exists is the person responsible.
(b) Where a conflict arises in identifying a person responsible for the pit, the commission may hold a public hearing.