Statutes of limitations.

Existing law provides that civil actions can only be commenced within prescribed periods, based on the nature of the action. Existing law prescribes a limitations period of one year for, among other things, an action upon a statute for a forfeiture or penalty to the people of the state. Under existing law, this one-year period is applicable to an action to petition a court to impose a civil penalty for an intentional, knowing, or negligent violation of the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (FPA) or any rules or regulations of the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. This bill would instead provide that such an action is subject to a 3-year limitations period, if the action is for a violation of specified provisions of the FPA or a specified regulation of the board and is related to the conversion of timberland to nonforestry-related agricultural uses. The bill would provide that the limitations period for this cause of action does not begin until discovery by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.