Section 3745.31. Statute of limitations

(A) As used in this section, "environmental law" means sections 903.08, 903.17, and 3737.87 to 3737.882 and Chapters 3704., 3714., 3734., 3745., 3750., 3751., 3752., 3753., 6109., and 6111. of the Revised Code; any rule adopted under those sections or chapters or adopted for the purpose of implementing those sections or chapters; and any applicable provisions of Chapter 3767. of the Revised Code when an environmentally related nuisance action is brought.

(B)

(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, any action under any environmental law for civil or administrative penalties of any kind brought by any agency or department of the state or by any other governmental authority charged with enforcing environmental laws shall be commenced within five years of the time when the agency, department, or governmental authority actually knew or was informed of the occurrence, omission, or facts on which the cause of action is based.

(2) If an agency, department, or governmental authority actually knew or was informed of an occurrence, omission, or facts on which a cause of action is based prior to July 23, 2002, the cause of action for civil or administrative penalties of any kind for the alleged violation shall be commenced not later than five years after July 23, 2002.

(C) Division (B) of this section applies only if, during the time periods established in that division, proper service of process can be given in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure and jurisdiction of a court in this state can be obtained.

(D) The time periods established in division (B) of this section may be tolled by mutual agreement between the enforcing agency, department, or authority and the person who is subject to a civil or administrative penalty of any kind under an environmental law.

(E) When an action seeks injunctive relief or another remedy in addition to a remedy of civil or administrative penalties of any kind under an environmental law, division (B) of this section applies only to the remedy of civil or administrative penalties of any kind.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.115, SB 294, §1, eff. 9/5/2012.

Effective Date: 07-23-2002