(a) (1) A PRO shall annually submit to the department and make publicly available on its internet website an annual report and budget that describes how the PRO is implementing the approved plan and how the PRO has complied with the requirements of this chapter and its implementing regulations.

(2) The annual report shall describe in detail progress made toward meeting or exceeding the requirements in Section 42050 and shall include an evaluation of whether the PRO is reasonably likely to meet those requirements. If the PRO is not reasonably likely to meet those requirements, the PRO shall submit to the department an amendment to the plan to include additional measures to be implemented to ensure the requirements are met.

(3) The annual report shall include all of the following:

(A) The PRO’s cost and revenues, including an updated budget and any updates to the fee schedule necessary to ensure the revenues are sufficient to cover the full costs of implementing this chapter in the upcoming year.

(B) An updated list of the names and contact information of each participant of the plan.

(C) A description of outreach efforts and education to consumers.

(D) A report on activities the PRO has taken to implement each provision of the plan, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) A description of the methods used to collect, transport, process, and recycle or compost covered material.

(ii) The recycling technologies and means that will be utilized to achieve recycling requirements, including demonstration that the means and technologies meet the conditions specified in subdivision (aa) of Section 42041.

(iii) Progress made in meeting source reduction goals.

(iv) Current recycling rates and progress made in meeting recycling rates and any investments made to achieve recycling rate requirements.

(E) The source reduction data specified in subdivision (c) of Section 42057.

(b) (1) Within 90 calendar days of receiving an annual report, the department shall, in accordance with Section 42063, review the report and notify the PRO of any deficiencies in the annual report. No later than 60 calendar days after receiving this notice from the department, the PRO shall provide additional information, modifications, or corrections in response to the department’s notification.

(2) Within 90 calendar days of receipt of an annual report deemed complete, the department shall review the report for compliance with this chapter and shall approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve the annual report. As part of this review, the department shall evaluate the annual report to determine whether the PRO, in light of its implementation of the plan and any amendments or pending amendments to the plan pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 42051.2, is reasonably likely to meet the requirements of the plan and this chapter.

(3) (A) If the department conditionally approves or disapproves the annual report, the PRO shall resubmit a revised annual report addressing the department’s written reasons for its decision within 30 calendar days of the conditional approval or disapproval.

(B) The department, within 60 calendar days from the date a PRO resubmits a revised annual report, shall approve or disapprove a final annual report.

(4) If the department disapproves a revised annual report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3), the PRO may submit only one additional final annual report, subject to review in accordance with subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3), which shall include the revisions necessary for approval by the department.

(5) If a PRO fails to submit an annual report that obtains approval by the department, the department may deem the PRO no longer in compliance with this chapter.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 75, Sec. 2. (SB 54) Effective January 1, 2023.)