(a)  The secretary shall solicit proposals for a package of environmental insurance products from insurance companies through a competitive bidding process. The request for proposal prepared by the secretary shall identify the objectives of this article and the specific types and coverage limits of the insurance products desired, including endorsements and exclusions. The request for proposal shall require that the proposal allow a purchaser the opportunity to pay for additional coverage without losing the lower transaction costs structure of the prenegotiated policy. The secretary shall hold at least one public workshop in both the northern and the southern part of the state to present and solicit comments on the request for proposal prior to receiving any proposals.

(b)  (1)  The secretary shall evaluate the extent to which each proposal submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) meets the objectives of the request for proposal and shall also evaluate each proposal and interested party using all of the following factors:

(A)  Product pricing.

(B)  Claims history.

(C)  Underwriting history.

(D)  Company financial strength and size.

(E)  Scope of policy coverages, including endorsements and exclusions.

(F)  Marketing and distribution of the insurance products.

(G)  Any other factor that the secretary determines will affect the ability of the selected insurance company to meet the requirements of this article and provide the environmental insurance products in the most effective and efficient manner and at the least cost to the state and to persons seeking that insurance.

(2)  The secretary shall select one or more insurance companies that have submitted a proposal pursuant to subdivision (a) to be the exclusive state-designated provider of environmental insurance under this article for a period of three years from the date of selection. The secretary shall select a company that, in his or her determination, has submitted a proposal that best meets the requirements of this article and the objectives stated in the request for proposal at the best possible price. Every three years, the secretary shall repeat the competitive bidding process specified in this section.

(c)  An insurance company selected to provide prenegotiated environmental insurance products pursuant to subdivision (b) shall offer this prenegotiated package of insurance products to any interested recipient of a loan under the CLEAN Program. The insurance company shall also offer the environmental insurance products made available under this article to any other person who conducts a response action in the state.

(d)  The secretary shall implement this section in consultation with representatives of other appropriate state agencies, including the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the Office of Planning and Research, the Pollution Control Financing Authority, the Department of Insurance, the state board, the department, and with other interested parties, including developers, lenders, insurers, and representatives from environmental organizations. The secretary shall implement this section in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for state procurement of services set forth in Article 4 (commencing with Section 10335) of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 225, Sec. 43. Effective August 16, 2004.)