(a) The State Department of Health Services, after public notice and hearing and with the advice of the department, shall, from time to time, establish a priority list of projects to be considered for financing.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other provision of law, the priority list established by the State Department of Health Services pursuant to the California Safe Drinking Water Bond Law of 1986 (Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 13895)) in effect on the effective date of this chapter may, at the option of the State Department of Health Services, be utilized upon voter approval of this chapter until the State Department of Health Services adopts a new priority list.

(Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 45, Sec. 1. Approved in Proposition 81 at the November 8, 1988, election.)