(a)
There is within the Department of Toxic Substances Control an independent review panel, comprising three members, to review and make recommendations regarding improvements to the department’s permitting, enforcement, public outreach, and fiscal management.
(b)The Speaker of the Assembly, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Governor shall each appoint one person to the panel. One member of the panel shall be a community representative, one member of the panel shall have scientific experience related to toxic materials, and one member of the panel shall be a local government management expert.
(1)
The Speaker of the Assembly shall
appoint the panelist with scientific experience related to toxic materials.
(2)
The Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint the panelist who is a community representative.
(3)
The Governor shall appoint the panelist who is a local government management expert.
(4)
The appointments shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of the act adding this section.
(c)
The panel may advise the department on issues related to the department’s reporting obligations.
(d)
The panel shall make recommendations for improving the department’s programs.
(e)
The panel shall advise the department on compliance with Section 57007.
(f)
The panel shall report to the Governor and the Legislature, consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code, 90 days after the panel is initially appointed and every 90 days thereafter, on the department’s progress in reducing permitting and enforcement backlogs, improving public outreach, and improving fiscal management.
(g)
The department shall provide two support staff to the panel independent of the department. Each member of the panel shall receive per diem and shall be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties under this section. The total amount of money expended for panel expenses pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year.
(h)
At the time of the submission of the Governor’s 2016–17 annual budget to the
Legislature, and at the time of each submission of the Governor’s annual budget thereafter, the panel shall submit to the Legislature and the Governor recommendations pursuant to this section.
(i)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.