The department shall seek the advice of appropriate professional societies and appropriate healing arts licensing boards prior to designating approved projects. In the case of projects sponsored by a state agency, the following additional procedures shall apply:

(a)  A hearing shall be conducted by a disinterested state government official selected by the director of the department from a state agency other than the department or the proponent of the project. The cost of the services of the disinterested state governmental official shall be paid by the department pursuant to an interagency agreement with the state agency represented by the state governmental official.

(b)  A notice of hearing shall be sent by the department to interested parties, as designated by the director of the department, by registered mail no less than 30 days preceding the date of the hearing. The notice shall include, but not be limited to, the date, time, location, and subject matter of the hearing, and shall include a copy of the application for a pilot project that is the subject of the hearing.

(c)  A verbatim transcript of the hearing shall be prepared and distributed to interested parties upon request.

(d)  Within 60 days of the release of the transcript, the department shall submit a recommendation on the proposal to the director of the department and shall send copies to the interested parties.

(e)  The director of the department shall accept comments on the recommendations, and, on or after 30 days after transmittal of the recommendations, the director of the department shall approve or disapprove the proposed project.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 140. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)