(A) Notwithstanding sections 903.16 and 903.17 of the Revised Code, if the director of agriculture determines that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health or safety or the environment, the director may issue an order, without notice or adjudication hearing, stating the existence of the emergency and requiring that action be taken that is necessary to meet the emergency. The order shall take effect immediately. A person to whom the order is directed shall comply immediately, but on application to the director shall be afforded an adjudication hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as soon as possible and not later than thirty days after application. On the basis of the hearing, the director shall continue the order in effect, revoke it, or modify it. The director's order is appealable in accordance with section 119.12 of the Revised Code. No emergency order shall remain in effect for more than one hundred twenty days after its issuance.

(B) A person that is responsible for causing or allowing the unauthorized spill, release, or discharge of manure that requires emergency action to protect public health or safety or the environment is liable to the director for the costs incurred in investigating, mitigating, minimizing, removing, or abating the spill, release, or discharge. Upon request of the director, the attorney general shall bring a civil action against the responsible person or persons to recover those costs. Moneys recovered under this division shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the livestock management fund.

Effective Date: 03-15-2001