(a)  A consolidated permit agency may charge and collect a reasonable fee from any person seeking a consolidated permit to recover the estimated costs incurred by the consolidated permit agency and the office in carrying out this division.

(b)  The fees charged shall recover only the costs of performing those consolidated permit services and shall be either negotiated with the responsible party in the meeting convened pursuant to Section 57053.1 or set by the public agency in advance of its designation as a consolidated permit agency for the repair or maintenance project in a fee schedule adopted by the public agency for use in the event that the public agency is so designated. In addition, the billing process shall provide for accurate time and cost accounting and a billing cycle that provide for progress payments. Nothing in this section limits the ability of a participating agency or the office to collect appropriate fees.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 776, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)