25191
. (a) (1) Any person who knowingly does any of the acts
specified in subdivision (b) shall, upon conviction, be punished by a
fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more than
twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of violation, or
by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by
both that fine and imprisonment.
(2) If the conviction is for a second or subsequent violation of
subdivision (b), the person shall be punished by imprisonment
pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16,
20, or 24 months, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or
by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more
than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for each day of violation, or
by both that fine and imprisonment.
(3) Each day or partial day that a violation occurs is a separate
violation.
(b) A person who does any of the following is subject to the
punishment prescribed in subdivision (a):
(1) Makes any false statement or representation in any
application, label, manifest, record, report, permit, notice to
comply, or other document filed, maintained, or used for the purposes
of compliance with this chapter.
(2) Has in his or her possession any record relating to the
generation, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal, or handling
of hazardous waste required to be maintained pursuant to this
chapter, that has been altered or concealed.
(3) Destroys, alters, or conceals any record relating to the
generation, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal, or handling
of hazardous waste required to be maintained pursuant to this
chapter.
(4) Withholds information regarding a real and substantial danger
to the public health or safety when that information has been
requested by the department, or by a local officer or agency
authorized to enforce this chapter pursuant to subdivision (a) of
Section 25180, and is required to carry out the responsibilities of
the department or the authorized local officer or agency pursuant to
this chapter in response to a real and substantial danger.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, engages in
transportation of hazardous waste in violation of Section 25160 or
25161, or subdivision (a) of Section 25163, or in violation of any
regulation adopted by the department pursuant to those provisions,
including, but not limited to, failing to complete or provide the
manifest in the form and manner required by the department.
(6) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, produces,
receives, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste, or submits
hazardous waste for transportation, in violation of Section 25160 or
25161 or any regulation adopted by the department pursuant to those
sections, including, but not limited to, failing to complete,
provide, or submit the manifest in the form and manner required by
the department.
(7) Transports any waste, for which there is provided a manifest,
if the transportation is in violation of this chapter or the
regulations adopted by the department pursuant thereto.
(8) Violates Section 25162.
(c) (1) The penalties imposed pursuant to subdivision (a) on any
person who commits any of the acts specified in paragraph (5), (7),
or (8) of subdivision (b) shall be imposed only (A) on the owner or
lessee of the vehicle in which the hazardous wastes are unlawfully
transported, carried, or handled or (B) on the person who authorizes
or causes the transporting, carrying, or handling. These penalties
shall not be imposed on the driver of the vehicle, unless the driver
is also the owner or lessee of the vehicle or authorized or caused
the transporting, carrying, or handling.
(2) If any person other than the person producing the hazardous
waste prepares the manifest specified in Section 25160, that other
person is also subject to the penalties imposed on a person who
commits any of the acts specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision
(b).
(d) Any person who knowingly does any of the following acts, each
day or partial day that a violation occurs constituting a separate
violation, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more
than five hundred dollars ($500) for each day of violation, or by
imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed six months, or by
both that fine and imprisonment:
(1) Carries or handles, or authorizes the carrying or handling of,
a hazardous waste without having in the driver's possession the
manifest specified in Section 25160.
(2) Transports, or authorizes the transportation of, hazardous
waste without having in the driver's possession a valid registration
issued by the department pursuant to Section 25163.
(e) Whenever any person is prosecuted for a violation pursuant to
paragraph (5), (6), (7), or (8) of subdivision (b), subdivision (d),
or subdivision (c) of Section 25189.5, the prosecuting attorney may
take appropriate steps to make the owner or lessee of the vehicle in
which the hazardous wastes are unlawfully transported, carried, or
handled, the driver of the vehicle, or any other person who
authorized or directed the loading, maintenance, or operation of the
vehicle, who is reasonably believed to have violated these
provisions, a codefendant. If a codefendant is held solely
responsible and found guilty, the court may dismiss the charge
against the person who was initially so charged.