(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), to the extent permitted by law, the consumer information publications referred to in this article, including, but not limited to, the information booklets described in § 10084.1 of the Business and Professions Code and § 25402.9 of the Public Resources Code, shall be in the public domain and freely available.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Seismic Safety Commission’s Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety, published pursuant to § 10149 of the Business and Professions Code, shall be made available to the public at cost and for reproduction at no cost to any vendor who wishes to publish the guide, provided the vendor agrees to submit the guide to the commission prior to publication for content approval.

(Amended (as added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 66) by Stats. 1998, Ch. 65, Sec. 4. Effective June 9, 1998. Applicable from June 1, 1998, by Sec. 18 of Ch. 65. Note: Ch. 65 (pursuant to Sec. 20) supersedes and precludes operation of Stats. 1997, 1st Ex. Sess., Ch. 7.)