(a)
It is the responsibility of the state board to provide guidance to the regional boards in matters of procedure, as well as policy and regulation. In order to ensure that regional boards are providing fair, timely, and equal access to all participants in regional board proceedings, the state board shall undertake a review of the regional boards’ public participation procedures. As part of the review process, and upon request by the state board, the regional boards shall solicit comments from participants in their proceedings. Upon completion of the review, the state board shall report to the Legislature regarding its findings and include recommendations to improve regional board public participation processes.
(b)
(1)The state board shall provide annual training to regional board members to improve public participation and adjudication procedures at the regional level.
(2)
Paragraph (1) shall be implemented only during fiscal years for which funding is provided for the purposes of that paragraph in the annual Budget Act or in another statute.