(a)  The state board shall implement a program to assist districts to improve efficiencies in the issuance of permits pursuant to this division. The program shall be consistent with the requirements of Title V.

(b)  (1)  The program shall include a process, developed in coordination with the districts, for the state board to precertify simple, commonly used equipment and processes as being in compliance with applicable air quality rules and regulations, under conditions specified by the state board. The state board shall develop criteria and guidelines for precertification in coordination with the districts.

(2)  The state board shall charge a reasonable fee for precertification, not to exceed the state board’s estimated costs. Payment of the fee shall be a condition of precertification.

(3)  Precertification shall not affect any existing authority of a district regarding permitting and compliance requirements. Precertification shall constitute a preliminary evaluation of the equipment or process, and a recommendation by the state board for permit conditions to be adopted by a district having jurisdiction over particular equipment or a particular process, that would allow district permitting staff to more quickly process permit applications for air pollution sources.

(4)  The California Environmental Protection Agency, within existing resources, and in consultation with appropriate state and local regulatory agencies, shall evaluate the feasibility and benefits of expanding the precertification program to involve other state and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over other environmental media, including land and water.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 429, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1995.)