{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-1406.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-1406.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-1406.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-1406.html"}],"law_id":64275,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64275,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1406","catch_line":"Exemptions from liability; expedited settlements","history":"1986, c. 566, \u00a7 10-270; 1988, cc. 627, 891; 1990, cc. 472, 919; 1991, c. 718; 1999, c. 798.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall be liable under the provisions of subdivision 19 of \u00a7 10.1-1402 for cleanup or to reimburse the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund if he can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation and the damages resulting therefrom were caused solely by:1\n\nAn act of God;2\n\nAn act of war;3\n\nAn act or omission of a third party other than an employee or agent of the defendant, or other than one whose act or omission occurs in connection with a contractual relationship, existing directly or indirectly, with the defendant (except where the sole contractual arrangement arises from a published tariff and acceptance for carriage by a common carrier by rail), if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) he exercised due care with respect to the hazardous waste or hazardous substance concerned, taking into consideration the characteristics of such hazardous waste or hazardous substance, in light of all relevant facts and circumstances and (ii) he took precautions against foreseeable acts or omissions of any such third party and the consequences that could foreseeably result from such acts or omissions; or4\n\nAny combination of subdivisions 1 through 3 of this section. For purposes of this section, the term “contractual arrangement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (35).B\n\nThe Board may, consistent with programs developed under the federal acts, expedite a determination to limit the liability of innocent landowners, de minimis contributors or others who have grounds to claim limited responsibility for a containment or cleanup which may be required pursuant to this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":233942,"text":"No person shall be liable under the provisions of subdivision 19 of \u00a7 10.1-1402 for cleanup or to reimburse the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund if he can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation and the damages resulting therefrom were caused solely by:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":233943,"text":"An act of God;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":233944,"text":"An act of war;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":233945,"text":"An act or omission of a third party other than an employee or agent of the defendant, or other than one whose act or omission occurs in connection with a contractual relationship, existing directly or indirectly, with the defendant (except where the sole contractual arrangement arises from a published tariff and acceptance for carriage by a common carrier by rail), if the defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) he exercised due care with respect to the hazardous waste or hazardous substance concerned, taking into consideration the characteristics of such hazardous waste or hazardous substance, in light of all relevant facts and circumstances and (ii) he took precautions against foreseeable acts or omissions of any such third party and the consequences that could foreseeably result from such acts or omissions; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":233946,"text":"Any combination of subdivisions 1 through 3 of this section. For purposes of this section, the term “contractual arrangement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (35).","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":233947,"text":"The Board may, consistent with programs developed under the federal acts, expedite a determination to limit the liability of innocent landowners, de minimis contributors or others who have grounds to claim limited responsibility for a containment or cleanup which may be required pursuant to this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15604,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12811,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:56:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:56:46","permalink":{"id":145889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15604,"identifier":"1","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1","url":"\/10.1\/II\/14\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12811,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Waste Management Act","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12741,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":145887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12811,"identifier":"14","token":"10.1\/II\/14","url":"\/10.1\/II\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12741,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by Other Entities","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":144833,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12741,"identifier":"II","token":"10.1\/II","url":"\/10.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84539,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-1400\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1400","metadata":false},{"id":66666,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1400.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/10.1-1400.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1400.1","metadata":false},{"id":60386,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1401","catch_line":"Virginia Waste Management Board continued","url":"\/10.1-1401\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1401","metadata":false},{"id":82696,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board","url":"\/10.1-1402\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402","metadata":false},{"id":60068,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.01","catch_line":"Further duties of Board; localities particularly affected","url":"\/10.1-1402.01\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.01","metadata":false},{"id":83586,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.02","catch_line":"Use, reuse, or reclamation of coal combustion by-product in a flood plain","url":"\/10.1-1402.02\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.02","metadata":false},{"id":69871,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.03","catch_line":"Closure of certain coal combustion residuals units","url":"\/10.1-1402.03\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.03","metadata":false},{"id":86095,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.04","catch_line":"Closure of certain coal combustion residuals units; Giles and Russell Counties","url":"\/10.1-1402.04\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.04","metadata":false},{"id":81131,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.05","catch_line":"Coal ash landfill storage; provision of public water supply","url":"\/10.1-1402.05\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.05","metadata":false},{"id":79856,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.1","catch_line":"Permit fee regulations","url":"\/10.1-1402.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.1","metadata":false},{"id":67309,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.1:1","catch_line":"Annual fees for nonhazardous solid waste management facilities","url":"\/10.1-1402.1_1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":80557,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.2","catch_line":"Permit Program Fund established; use of moneys","url":"\/10.1-1402.2\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.2","metadata":false},{"id":69738,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1402.3","catch_line":"Conformance with federal requirements","url":"\/10.1-1402.3\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1402.3","metadata":false},{"id":80136,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1403","catch_line":"Advisory committees","url":"\/10.1-1403\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1403","metadata":false},{"id":60650,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1404","catch_line":"Department continued; general powers","url":"\/10.1-1404\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1404","metadata":false},{"id":81528,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1405","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director","url":"\/10.1-1405\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1405","metadata":false},{"id":64275,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1406","catch_line":"Exemptions from liability; expedited settlements","url":"\/10.1-1406\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406","metadata":false},{"id":59552,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1406.1","catch_line":"Access to abandoned waste sites","url":"\/10.1-1406.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406.1","metadata":false},{"id":87322,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1406.2","catch_line":" Conditional exemption for coal and mineral mining overburden or solid waste","url":"\/10.1-1406.2\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406.2","metadata":false},{"id":64008,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1407","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/10.1-1407\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1407","metadata":false},{"id":71682,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1407.1","catch_line":"Notification of local government of violation","url":"\/10.1-1407.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1407.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81528,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1405","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Director","url":"\/10.1-1405\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1405","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59552,"structure_id":15604,"section_number":"10.1-1406.1","catch_line":"Access to abandoned waste sites","url":"\/10.1-1406.1\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-1406\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 566 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapters 627 and 891; in 1990, chapters 472 and 919; in 1991, chapter 718; in 1999, chapter 798<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":82696,"section_number":"10.1-1402","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1402\/"}],"permalink":{"id":145955,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64275,"identifier":"10.1-1406","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406","url":"\/10.1-1406\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-1406\/","token":"10.1\/II\/14\/1\/10.1-1406","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exemptions from liability; expedited settlements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-1406","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person<\/span> shall be liable under the provisions of subdivision 19 of \u00a7 10.1-1402<\/a> for cleanup or to reimburse the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund if he can establish by a preponderance of the evidence<\/span> that the violation and the damages<\/span> resulting therefrom were caused solely by: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> An act of God; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> An act of war; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> An act or omission of a third party<\/span> other than an employee or agent of the defendant<\/span>, or other than one whose act or omission occurs in connection with a contractual relationship, existing directly or indirectly, with the defendant<\/span> (except where the sole contractual arrangement arises from a published tariff and acceptance for carriage by a common carrier by rail), if the defendant<\/span> establishes by a preponderance of the evidence<\/span> that (i) he exercised due care with respect to the hazardous waste<\/span> or hazardous substance<\/span> concerned, taking into consideration the characteristics of such hazardous waste<\/span> or hazardous substance<\/span>, in light of all relevant facts<\/span> and circumstances and (ii) he took precautions against foreseeable acts or omissions of any such third party<\/span> and the consequences that could foreseeably result from such acts or omissions; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Any combination of subdivisions 1 through 3 of this section. For purposes of this section, the term “contractual arrangement” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (35). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span> may, consistent with programs developed under the federal acts<\/span>, expedite a determination to limit the liability of innocent landowners, de minimis contributors or others who have grounds to claim limited responsibility for a containment or cleanup which may be required pursuant to this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXEMPTIONS FROM LIABILITY; EXPEDITED SETTLEMENTS (\u00a7 10.1-1406)\n\nA. No person shall be liable under the provisions of subdivision 19 of \u00a7\n10.1-1402 for cleanup or to reimburse the Virginia Environmental Emergency\nResponse Fund if he can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the\nviolation and the damages resulting therefrom were caused solely by:\n\n 1. An act of God;\n\n 2. An act of war;\n\n 3. An act or omission of a third party other than an employee or agent of the\n defendant, or other than one whose act or omission occurs in connection with a\n contractual relationship, existing directly or indirectly, with the defendant\n (except where the sole contractual arrangement arises from a published tariff\n and acceptance for carriage by a common carrier by rail), if the defendant\n establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that (i) he exercised due care\n with respect to the hazardous waste or hazardous substance concerned, taking\n into consideration the characteristics of such hazardous waste or hazardous\n substance, in light of all relevant facts and circumstances and (ii) he took\n precautions against foreseeable acts or omissions of any such third party and\n the consequences that could foreseeably result from such acts or omissions; or\n\n 4. Any combination of subdivisions 1 through 3 of this section. For purposes\n of this section, the term “contractual arrangement” shall have the\n meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (35).\n\nB. The Board may, consistent with programs developed under the federal acts,\nexpedite a determination to limit the liability of innocent landowners, de\nminimis contributors or others who have grounds to claim limited responsibility\nfor a containment or cleanup which may be required pursuant to this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 566, \u00a7 10-270; 1988, cc. 627, 891; 1990, cc. 472, 919; 1991,\nc. 718; 1999, c. 798.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}