(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the program authorized pursuant to this article be entirely self-supporting, and for this purpose the state board is authorized to establish fee schedules for the issuance, replacement, reinstatement, continuing education, and renewal of certificates that shall provide revenues that shall not exceed the amount necessary, but shall be sufficient, to recover all costs incurred in the administration of this article.

(b) The state board may establish reduced fees for the issuance of, and renewal of, a water treatment operator certificate for applicants who hold a valid, unexpired water distribution operator certificate or a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate.

Terms Used In California Health and Safety Code 106890

  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Health and Safety Code 23
  • Water distribution operator certificate: means a certificate of competency issued by the state board stating that a person has met the requirements to be certified to operate a water distribution system for a specified grade level. See California Health and Safety Code 106876
  • Water treatment operator certificate: means a certificate of competency issued by the state board stating that a person has met the requirements to be certified to operate a water treatment plant for a specific classification and grade level. See California Health and Safety Code 106876

(c) The state board may establish reduced fees for the issuance of, and renewal of, a water distribution operator certificate for applicants who hold a valid, unexpired water treatment operator certificate or a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate.

(d) (1) The state board shall set the amount of total revenue collected each year through the fee schedules at an amount equal to the amount appropriated by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act from the Drinking Water Operator Certification Special Account for expenditure for the administration of this article, taking into account the reserves in the account. The state board shall review the fees each fiscal year and revise the fees as necessary to conform with the amounts appropriated by the Legislature. If the state board determines that the revenue collected during the preceding year was greater than, or less than, the amounts appropriated by the Legislature, the state board may further adjust the fees to compensate for the overcollection or undercollection of revenue.

(2) The state board may adopt regulations pursuant to this section, including any subsequent adjustments to the fees or subsequent amendments to the regulations, as emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The adoption of these emergency regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, any emergency regulations adopted by the state board, or any adjustment to the fees made by the state board pursuant to this section, shall remain in effect until revised by the state board.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 305, Sec. 8. (AB 2890) Effective January 1, 2017.)