Any counties that were eligible for organization and operation of local public health services by the department pursuant to former Section 1157, as amended by Section 130 of Chapter 429 of the Statutes of 1978, as of January 1, 1988, shall continue to be eligible, notwithstanding an increase in total population beyond the 50,000 population limit of that section.

(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 310, Sec. 19. Effective August 19, 1998.)