(a) The board shall fix the amount of the security required of any distributor and may increase or reduce the amount at any time. A minimum security in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be furnished by every distributor that is required to be licensed.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (d), if a distributor desires to defer payments for stamps or meter register settings, as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 30166) of Chapter 3.5, the board shall require a security as follows:

(1) If a distributor elects, under Section 30168, to make payments on a monthly basis, the board shall require a security equal to not less than 70 percent of the amount and no more than twice the amount, as fixed by the board, of the distributor’s purchases of stamps and meter register settings for which payment may be deferred.

(2) If a distributor elects, under Section 30168, to make payments on a twice-monthly basis, the board shall require a security equal to not less than 50 percent of the amount and no more than twice the amount, as fixed by the board, of the distributor’s purchases of stamps and meter register settings for which payment may be deferred.

(3) If a distributor elects, under Section 30168, to make payments on a weekly basis, the board shall require a security equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount and no more than twice the amount, as fixed by the board, of the distributor’s purchases of stamps and meter register settings for which payment may be deferred.

(c) The security required by the board pursuant to subdivision (b) may be in the form of any of the following, in the amount required by paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b):

(1) Cash, or a cash equivalent.

(2) A surety bond.

(d) Upon authorization by the board, no additional security shall be required for a distributor that desires to defer payments for stamps or meter register settings, as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 30166) of Chapter 3.5, if the distributor’s average monthly purchase of stamps or meter register settings for the previous 12 months does not exceed seventy-two thousand (72,000) stamps or meter register settings and if the distributor meets all of the following:

(1) Has been licensed under this part for a minimum of five years.

(2) Has not been delinquent in the filing of any reports or returns required under this part for the preceding three consecutive years.

(3) Has not been delinquent in the payment of any tax under this part, or for any other tax or fee administered or collected by the board, for the preceding three consecutive years.

(4) Provides to the board and updates, as necessary, an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving payment information, including, but not limited to, amounts owing for stamps and meter register settings purchased.

(5) Any other criteria the board may require.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 70, Sec. 1) by Stats. 2006, Ch. 501, Sec. 15. Effective January 1, 2007.)