(a) Registration requirements.--Every owner of an aboveground storage tank, except as specifically excluded by policy or regulation of the department, shall register each aboveground storage tank by completing and submitting the form provided by the department and by paying the yearly registration fee prescribed by the department for each aboveground storage tank. It shall be unlawful for any owner or operator to operate or use, in any way, any aboveground storage tank that has not been currently registered as required by this section.

(b) Prohibitions.--After 12 months from the effective date of this act, it shall be unlawful to sell, distribute, deposit or fill an aboveground storage tank with any regulated substance unless the aboveground storage tank is registered as required by this section. Any person who, on or after the effective date of this subsection, knowingly sells, distributes, deposits or fills any aboveground storage tank in violation of this subsection prior to the discovery of a release shall be liable for any release from the aboveground storage tank, in addition to the remedies provided in section 1302.¹ Within 12 months of the effective date of this act, the department shall have available for the general public an easily distinguishable visual system, such as a sticker, to identify tanks with a current registration as part of enforcement by the department.

(c) Use of registration fees.--Registration fees collected by the department shall be used to fund the development and operation of the storage tank programs established by this act.

(d) Initial registration.--Within six months of the effective date of this act, all owners of aboveground storage tanks shall meet the registration requirements and pay the registration fee required by this act.