(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 1352, a health care service plan that files a material modification that is a transaction or agreement described in subdivision (a) of Section 1399.65 shall be subject to the same fees required by subdivision (a) of Section 1356.

(b) (1) In addition to paying the fees described in subdivision (a), the health care service plan shall reimburse the director for the reasonable costs of all of the following:

(A) The independent analysis described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1399.65.

(B) The opinion described in subdivision (b) of Section 1399.65.

(C) The public meeting described in subdivision (c) of Section 1399.65.

(D) The statement described in subdivision (d) of Section 1399.65.

(2) The reimbursement required by this subdivision shall be irrespective of the director’s approval, conditional approval, or disapproval of the transaction or agreement described in subdivision (a) of Section 1399.65.

(3) If a transaction described in subdivision (a) of Section 1399.65 involves two health care service plans, the director shall determine whether the reimbursement requirements of this subdivision apply to one or both of the plans.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 152. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)