(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (b), beginning on January 1, 2020, every independent special district, as defined in Section 56044, shall maintain an internet website.

(2) The internet website required by paragraph (1) shall conform to any other provisions of law applicable to the internet website of the district, including, but not limited to, Sections 53893, 53908, and 54954.2 of this code, Article 3 (commencing with Section 7922.700) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 10 of Title 1 of this code, and § 32139 of the Health and Safety Code.

(3) The internet website required by paragraph (1) shall clearly list contact information for the independent special district.

(b) (1) An independent special district shall be exempt from subdivision (a) if, pursuant to a majority vote of its governing body at a regular meeting, the district adopts a resolution declaring its determination that a hardship exists that prevents the district from establishing or maintaining an internet website.

(2) A resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall include detailed findings, based upon evidence set forth in the minutes of the meeting, supporting the board’s determination that a hardship prevents the district from establishing or maintaining an internet website. The findings may include, but shall not be limited to, inadequate access to broadband communications network facilities that enable high-speed internet access, significantly limited financial resources, or insufficient staff resources.

(3) A resolution adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall be valid for one year. In order to continue to be exempt from subdivision (a), the governing body of an independent special district shall adopt a resolution pursuant to this subdivision annually so long as the hardship exists.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 615, Sec. 193. (AB 474) Effective January 1, 2022. Operative January 1, 2023, pursuant to Sec. 463 of Stats. 2021, Ch. 615.)