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SB-601 State agencies: licenses: fee waiver.(2019-2020)

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Date Published: 10/14/2019 09:00 PM
SB601:v95#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 601
CHAPTER 854

An act to add Section 11009.5 to the Government Code, relating to state government.

[ Approved by Governor  October 12, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State  October 12, 2019. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 601, Morrell. State agencies: licenses: fee waiver.
Existing law requires various licenses to be obtained by a person before engaging in certain professions or vocations or business activities, including licensure as a healing arts professional by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs.
This bill would authorize any state agency that issues any business license to establish a process for a person or business that has been displaced or is experiencing economic hardship as a result of an emergency, as defined, to submit an application for reduction or waiver of fees required by the agency to obtain a license, renew or activate a license, or replace a physical license for display.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 11009.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

11009.5.
 (a) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Displaced” means a condition in which the person or business is unable to return to the address of record or other address associated with the license before experiencing economic hardship.
(2) “Economic hardship” means the inability to pay living or business expenses, unless otherwise defined by a state agency pursuant to subdivision (c).
(3) “Emergency” means an emergency as defined in Section 8558 or a declared federal emergency.
(4) “License” includes, but is not limited to, a certificate, registration, or other required document to engage in business.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues any business license may establish a process for a person or business that has been displaced or is experiencing economic hardship as a result of an emergency to submit an application, that the agency may grant, for a reduction or waiver of any fees required by the agency to obtain a license, renew or activate a license, or replace a physical license for display.
(c) A fee or waiver process established pursuant to subdivision (b) shall specify, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) The methodology used by the agency for determining whether a person, as a result of an emergency, has been displaced or is experiencing economic hardship.
(2) The procedure for applying for a reduction or fee waiver.
(3) That the application shall be made within one year of the date on which the emergency was proclaimed or declared.