(a)
The proposed standardized electronic format and protocol required by Section 71061 and the alternative signature techniques required by Section 71066 shall be tested in the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo as a pilot program, for a period determined by the secretary, and at the initiative of business entity report submitters who have organized to implement electronic data interchange among themselves for other business purposes and who wish to employ the same technology for exchanging environmental data. Any of the participating business entities located within those counties who are required to comply with the environmental data reporting requirements imposed pursuant to the laws listed in Section 71061, may comply by submitting the data in the prescribed standardized electronic format.
(b)
The secretary shall meet the requirements of Section 71063 using resources contributed exclusively by business participants. The secretary may accept and use computer hardware, software, and support services furnished by the industry or business participants at their own cost in order for the agency to participate in the pilot program. No public funds shall be encumbered in order to conduct, or pay for, any part of the pilot program originally undertaken or provided by any business participant. The brands of products employed shall not be identified in public, nor shall their use be deemed an endorsement of any particular brand or proprietary approach to electronic data interchange.