California Code, Government Code - GOV § 8670.63

(a) No provision of this chapter, or of Division 7.8 (commencing with Section 8750) of the Public Resources Code, or any ruling of the administrator, shall be construed to limit, abridge, or supersede the power of the Attorney General, at the request of the administrator, or upon his or her own motion, to bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin any violation of this act, seek necessary remedial action by any person who violates any of the provisions of this act, or seek civil and criminal penalties against any person who violates any of the provisions of this act.

(b) The Attorney General, at the request of the administrator, shall undertake actions to enforce this chapter and to recover from an owner, operator, or responsible party for a release of oil into state waters all expenditures made from a particular fund.  The resolution of any recovery actions pursuant to this subdivision shall be approved by the administrator.