(a)  Funds collected by the department pursuant to this part shall be deposited into the Mobilehome Parks and Special Occupancy Parks Revolving Fund established pursuant to Section 18502.5. Moneys deposited in the fund shall be available, upon appropriation, to the department for expenditure in carrying out the provisions of this part and Part 2.1 (commencing with Section 18200). The department shall, by January 1, 2003, establish procedures that permit the identification of revenues received by the fund and expenditures paid out of the fund as they relate to mobilehome parks and special occupancy parks.

(b)  Notwithstanding any maximum fees set by this part, the department may set, by regulation, fees charged by the department for all permits and for the department’s activities required by this part. The fees shall be set with the primary objective that the aggregate revenue deposited in the Mobilehome Parks and Special Occupancy Parks Revolving Fund by or on behalf of special occupancy parks shall not, on an annual basis, exceed the costs of the department’s activities mandated by this part.

(c)  No proposed increase in fees may be effective any sooner than 45 days after written notification thereof is provided to the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the State Auditor. Upon receipt of the notification, the State Auditor may prepare a report to the Legislature that indicates whether the proposed increase is appropriate and consistent with this part.

(d)  The total money contained in the Mobilehome Parks and Special Occupancy Parks Revolving Fund on June 30 of each fiscal year shall not exceed the amount of money needed for the department’s operating expenses for one year for the enforcement of this part and Part 2.1 (commencing with Section 18200). If the total money contained in the fund exceeds this amount, the department shall make appropriate reductions in the schedule of fees authorized by this section, Section 18502.5, or both.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 434, Sec. 39. Effective January 1, 2002. Operative January 1, 2004, by Sec. 44 of Ch. 434, as amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1038.)