Pursuant to § 15.2-1716.1, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended,
any person who is convicted of a violation of Subsection B or C of § 18.2-46.6,
when his violation of such section is the proximate cause of any incident
resulting in an appropriate emergency response, shall be liable at the time
of sentencing or in a separate civil action to the locality or to any volunteer
rescue squad, or both, which may provide such emergency response for the reasonable
expense thereof, in an amount not to exceed $1,000 in the aggregate for a
particular incident occurring in such locality. In determining the reasonable
expense, a locality may bill a flat fee of $250 or a minute-by-minute accounting
of the actual costs incurred. As used in this section, "appropriate emergency
response" includes all costs of providing law enforcement, fire-fighting,
rescue, and emergency medical services. The provisions of this section shall
not preempt or limit any remedy available to the commonwealth, to the locality
or to any volunteer rescue squad to recover the reasonable expenses of an
emergency response to an incident not involving a terroristic hoax as set
forth herein.
In any case where the county or any volunteer agency, recognized as
an integral part of the county's public safety program, responds to an
incident involving hazardous materials, as defined by § 10.1-1400,
Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended, or for the abatement of a nuisance,
as defined by § 15.2-900, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the
county may maintain an action against the party or parties responsible for
the spill or release of hazardous material or nuisance for reimbursement of
the costs associated with the response activity.