Section 10730.6 Of Chapter 8. Financial Authority From California Water Code >> Division 6. >> Part 2.74. >> Chapter 8.
10730.6
. (a) A groundwater fee levied pursuant to this chapter
shall be due and payable to the groundwater sustainability agency by
each owner or operator on a day established by the groundwater
sustainability agency.
(b) If an owner or operator knowingly fails to pay a groundwater
fee within 30 days of it becoming due, the owner or operator shall be
liable to the groundwater sustainability agency for interest at the
rate of 1 percent per month on the delinquent amount of the
groundwater fee and a 10-percent penalty.
(c) The groundwater sustainability agency may bring a suit in the
court having jurisdiction against any owner or operator of a
groundwater extraction facility within the area covered by the plan
for the collection of any delinquent groundwater fees, interest, or
penalties imposed under this chapter. If the groundwater
sustainability agency seeks an attachment against the property of any
named defendant in the suit, the groundwater sustainability agency
shall not be required to furnish a bond or other undertaking as
provided in Title 6.5 (commencing with Section 481.010) of Part 2 of
the Code of Civil Procedure.
(d) In the alternative to bringing a suit pursuant to subdivision
(c), a groundwater sustainability agency may collect any delinquent
groundwater charge and any civil penalties and interest on the
delinquent groundwater charge pursuant to the laws applicable to the
local agency or, if a joint powers authority, to the entity
designated pursuant to Section 6509 of the Government Code. The
collection shall be in the same manner as it would be applicable to
the collection of delinquent assessments, water charges, or tolls.
(e) As an additional remedy, a groundwater sustainability agency,
after a public hearing, may order an owner or operator to cease
extraction of groundwater until all delinquent fees are paid. The
groundwater sustainability agency shall give notice to the owner or
operator by certified mail not less than 15 days in advance of the
public hearing.
(f) The remedies specified in this section for collecting and
enforcing fees are cumulative and may be pursued alternatively or may
be used consecutively as determined by the governing body.