(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director of Finance is authorized to enter into an agreement with a firm or individual to act as an advisor to the state in the transactions contemplated by this article. § 14838 of the Government Code and Article 4 (commencing with Section 10335) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code does not apply to any agreement entered into by the director with an advisor pursuant to this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director of Finance is also authorized to enter into a legal services agreement to obtain specialized legal advice related to the transactions contemplated by this article. § 11040 of the Government Code and § 6072 of the Business and Professions Code shall not apply to the legal services agreement entered into by the director pursuant to this section.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 182, Sec. 1. Effective August 24, 2007.)