(a) No later than July 1, 2023, and no later than July 1 of each year thereafter until July 1, 2028, the qualified third party shall conduct an annual survey of the groups listed in subdivision (c) of Section 25214.8.11.5 to evaluate the effectiveness of the education and outreach campaign developed by the qualified third party pursuant to that subdivision and to obtain collection data. The qualified third party shall transmit the annual survey results to the department by September 1 of the same year.

(b) The qualified third party shall post the results of the annual survey on the internet website created pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 25214.8.11.5 and allow public comment on the survey for up to 30 calendar days after the survey is posted on the internet website. The department shall provide on its internet website a link to the qualified third party’s survey results and public comments.

(c) Until December 31, 2028, the qualified third party shall review the annual survey responses and public comments and, if warranted, by November 1 of the same year, submit to the department for its review and approval proposals to modify the program. The department shall evaluate the qualified third party’s proposals, provide feedback on the proposals to the qualified third party, and render a decision on the proposed modifications no later than December 1 of the same year. The modified plan shall be implemented the following calendar year to ensure that all out-of-service mercury-added thermostat collection locations are thoroughly informed about the program and its collection tools and are provided with any technical assistance that may be needed to increase the program’s effectiveness at out-of-service mercury-added thermostat collection locations where warranted.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 742, Sec. 4. (AB 732) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2033, pursuant to Section 25214.8.19.)