(a) For state agencies, local agencies, or private entities that are charged for the costs of fire and life safety building code inspections and related fire and life safety activities rendered by the State Fire Marshal, such as plan review, construction consulting, fire watch, and investigation, the State Fire Marshal shall charge an amount sufficient to recover the costs incurred for the fire and life safety building code inspections and those related fire and life safety activities.

(b) Upon the request of the State Fire Marshal, in the form prescribed by the Controller, the Controller shall transfer the amount of the charges for services rendered from the agency’s appropriation to the appropriation for the support of the State Fire Marshal’s office. The State Fire Marshal shall charge local agencies and private entities for the amount sufficient to recover the costs of the services provided.

(c) A state agency that has a dispute regarding charges for fire and life safety building code inspections provided by the State Fire Marshal shall notify the State Fire Marshal, in writing, of the dispute and the basis therefor. The State Fire Marshal shall immediately provide a credit to the state agency in the subsequent billing or billings for the amount of the charges in dispute. No further transfer of funds shall occur with respect to the services for which charges are disputed until the dispute is resolved by the State Fire Marshal, subject to the approval of the Department of Finance.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 760, Sec. 4. Effective September 30, 2008.)