(a) (1) In the case of a review by the state board under Section 13320 or review by the state board of a decision or order issued under authority delegated to an officer or employee of the state board where the state board by regulation has authorized a petition for reconsideration, the state board, upon notice and hearing, if a hearing is requested, may stay in whole or in part the effect of the decision or order of a regional board or of the state board. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the state board shall issue or deny the stay within 90 days of receipt of a request for stay that complies with the applicable regulations for requesting a stay. The party requesting the stay may extend the 90-day period.

(2) (A) If the request for stay relates to either of the following, the state board shall issue or deny the stay within 45 days of receipt of a request for stay that complies with the applicable regulations for requesting the stay:

(i) A water quality certification issued under Section 13160 authority delegated to an officer or employee of the state board for a discharge for a proposed activity associated with a hydroelectric facility and the proposed activity requires a license or an amendment to a license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(ii) A cleanup and abatement order issued under Section 13304 authority delegated to an officer or employee of the state board or a regional board that requires the provision of alternate water supplies within 120 days of the date of the order.

(B) The party requesting a stay may extend the 45-day period described in subparagraph (A).

(3) If the state board fails to issue or deny the stay within the applicable period specified in paragraph (1) or (2), the request for stay shall be deemed denied on the first day following the applicable period.

(b) (1) Within 30 days of any order of the state board issuing or denying a stay or within 30 days of a stay being deemed denied pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), any aggrieved party may file with the superior court a petition for writ of mandate for review of the state board’s order issuing or denying a stay or failure to issue or deny a stay.

(2) (A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall govern proceedings for which petitions are filed under this section.

(B) If the superior court finds that the state board failed to follow the procedures specified in subdivision (a) or otherwise prejudicially abused its discretion, the superior court may set aside the state board’s order issuing or denying the stay and may stay, in whole or in part, the effect of the decision or order of a regional board or of the state board pending review by the state board.

(C) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) or (B), if a request for stay is subject to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), the superior court may proceed without a certified administrative record and may stay, in whole or in part, the effect of the order or decision issued under delegated authority pending the state board’s review of the order or decision. The court shall not impose the stay if the court is satisfied that it is against the public interest.

(3) In an action under this section or Section 13330 involving a water quality certification issued pursuant to Section 13160, the court shall not issue a stay or other order that enjoins or has the effect of preventing the state board from taking action necessary to avoid a waiver of water quality certification for failure to act within the period provided under federal law. In determining whether there is a risk of waiver, the court shall consider the applicable regulations or policies of the federal agency issuing the permit or license subject to the water quality certification.

(c) If the state board or the superior court grants a stay under this section, the stay may be made effective as of the effective date of the regional board or state board decision or order.

(d) If a petition is filed with the superior court under Section 13330, any stay in effect at the time of the filing of the petition shall remain in effect by operation of law for a period of 20 days from the date of the filing of that petition.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 561, Sec. 261. (AB 1516) Effective January 1, 2018.)