(a) A program operator shall review its stewardship plan at least every five years after the stewardship plan approval, and determine whether revisions to the plan are necessary.

(b) If a program operator determines that revisions to the plan are necessary, the program operator shall submit to the department a revised plan for review and approval employing the procedures set forth in Section 42422.5. The stewardship organization shall submit the revised plan pursuant to this subdivision within 90 days of the review deadline outlined pursuant to subdivision (a).

(c) If a program operator determines that no revisions to the plan are necessary, the program operator shall send a letter to the department no later than 30 days after the review deadline outlined in subdivision (a), explaining that the program operator has reviewed the plan and determined that no revisions are needed. The department may disapprove the program operator’s determination within 30 days of receipt of that determination if the department concludes that the program operator cannot implement the objectives of this chapter without revising the stewardship plan. In the event the department disapproves the program operator’s determination, the program operator shall submit to the department a revised stewardship plan for review and approval in accordance with Section 42422.5. The program operator shall submit the revised plan pursuant to this subdivision within 90 days of receipt of the department’s disapproval.

(d) Notwithstanding the requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 42422.5, a program operator may, but is not required to, submit its plan to the Department of Toxic Substances Control prior to submission to the department pursuant to this section.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 351, Sec. 1. (AB 2440) Effective January 1, 2023.)