(a) Except as otherwise provided for in subsections (b), (b.1), and (c) of Code Section 12-13-11, in the event of any discharge or threatened discharge of a regulated substance, the state or any of its agencies may recover in a civil action from any owner, operator, or other responsible person all costs incurred by the state or any of its agencies or moneys from the federal Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund in the assessment and the cleanup of any release of a regulated substance and all costs incurred in the prevention, abatement, or removal of any threatened discharge of a regulated substance, including reasonable attorney's fees and any other necessary costs of response incurred by the state or any of its agencies. All moneys recovered for costs incurred under the Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund shall be deposited into the principal of the Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. The state shall have a lien on the real property on which the underground storage tanks which caused the discharge are located, even if owned by a person other than the owner or operator, provided the owner or operator is in privity with the real property owner.

(b) The lien provided for above shall be perfected by filing a certified copy of any judgment obtained against the owner or operator with the clerk of superior court for entry on the general execution docket in the county in which any real property of the owner or operator is located or where the real property on which the leaking underground storage tanks were operated is located.