(a)
A district which acquires, constructs, owns, operates, controls, or uses works for supplying its inhabitants and lands within the district with irrigation water, may, pursuant to the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code, fix by resolution on or before the first day of July of each year a water standby or immediate availability charge on all land within its boundaries to which water is made available by the district for irrigation purposes, whether the water is actually used or not. Such charge
shall not apply to lands permanently dedicated exclusively to transportation of persons or property.
(b)
The board of directors of a district which fixes such a standby charge may establish schedules varying the charges in different areas within a district. The board of directors may not, however, fix an annual standby charge at a rate in excess of ten dollars ($10) per acre or portion thereof, unless the standby charge is imposed pursuant to the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act (Chapter 12.4 (commencing with Section 54984) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code).
(c)
If the procedures set forth in this section as it read at the time a standby charge was established were followed, the district’s board may, by resolution, continue the charge pursuant to this section in successive years at the same rate. If new, increased, or extended assessments are
proposed, the board shall comply with the notice, protest, and hearing procedures in Section 53753 of the Government Code.