5080.05.

 (a) Except as provided in Section 5080.16, all contracts authorizing occupancy of any portion of the state park system for a period of more than three years shall be awarded to the best responsible bidder.

(b) “Best responsible bidder” means the bidder, as determined by specific standards established by the department, that, as determined by the department, will operate the concession (1) consistent with the contract, (2) in a manner fully compatible with, and complementary to, the characteristics, features, and theme of the unit in which the concession will be operated, (3) in the best interests of the state and public, and (4) in a manner that protects the state’s trademark and service mark rights in the names associated with a state park venue and its historical, cultural, and recreational resources. For purposes of this section, a bidder who would be subject to subdivision (b) of Section 5080.22 is not a best responsible bidder.

5080.23.

 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, with respect to concession contracts entered into on and after October 1, 1994, if the director determines that it is in the best interests of the state, the director may, upon giving notice to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, in lieu of the process for awarding contracts otherwise prescribed in this article, award contracts authorizing occupancy of any portion of the state park system for a period of more than three years to the best responsible person or entity submitting a proposal for a concession contract.

(b) For any concession contract authorizing occupancy by the concessionaire for a period of more than three years of any portion of the state park system that is entered into pursuant to this section, the department shall prepare a request for proposal, which shall include the terms and conditions of the concession sufficient to enable a person or entity to submit a proposal for the operation of the concession on the basis of the best benefit to the state. Proposals shall be completed only on the basis of the request for proposal.

(c) Any concession contract entered into pursuant to this section that is expected to involve a total investment or gross sales in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall comply with the requirements for entry into contract that are set forth in Section 5080.20.

(d) For purposes of this section, “best responsible person or entity submitting a proposal” means the person or entity submitting a proposal, as determined by specific standards established by the department, that will operate the concession in the best interests of the state and the public.

6107.

 Whenever the commission, pursuant to authority granted to it by law, enters into any agreement for the compromise or settlement of title or boundary claims, the agreement shall be submitted to the Governor, and if approved by him or her shall thereupon, but not before, be binding upon the state and the other party to the agreement.

6201.

 The commission may periodically classify any or all state land for its different possible uses, and, when it is deemed advisable, may require the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Conservation, the Department of Food and Agriculture, or any other officer, organization, agency, or institution of the state government to make that classification. It is the duty of any such officer, organization, agency, or institution to make that classification and to submit a report thereon upon the application of the commission.

6216.1.

 The commission may remove or cause to be removed any artificial structures or obstructions from ungranted lands under its jurisdiction if the commission determines that the removal is appropriate and the Attorney General advises that there is no legal recourse to compel other responsible parties to effect that removal.

6477.

 (a) The State Lands Commission shall report quarterly to the Teachers’ Retirement Board and annually to the Legislature and the Governor on both of the following:

(1) The management of school and lieu lands.

(2) Waivers, suspensions, reductions, alterations, or amendments made by the commission pursuant to Section 6916, together with the reasons therefor.

(b) The commission shall file a report with the Legislature annually on all waivers, suspensions, reductions, alterations, or amendments made by the commission pursuant to this section, together with the reasons therefor.

(c) The reports required pursuant to this section shall be prepared in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

6914.

 The holder of any geothermal resources permit or lease may quitclaim or relinquish his or her rights under that permit or lease pursuant to the provisions of Section 6804.1 of this code.

7730.

 The patent or deed shall then be signed by the Governor, attested by the Secretary of State, sealed with the Great Seal of the State, State of California, and countersigned by the commission.

8618.

 (a) On or before January 2 of each year, the trustee shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report describing its progress in achieving the objectives of this division, including the status of property acquisitions and an accounting of the moneys in the fund.

(b) The report to the Legislature required pursuant to this section shall be prepared in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

8622.

 As soon as practicable after initiating a title and parcel acceptability study for possible acquisition pursuant to this division, the trustee shall mail a “Notice of Potential Land Bank Acquisition” to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the State Coastal Conservancy, the district office of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the district in which the real property is located, other persons, entities, or public agencies who have previously requested to be placed on the mailing list for the notices, and any others deemed appropriate by the trustee. The notice shall contain a “Plat of Potential Land Bank Parcel,” showing the approximate location, character, and size of the parcel.

30512.

 (a) The land use plan of a proposed local coastal program shall be submitted to the commission. The commission shall, within 90 working days after the submittal, after public hearing, either certify or refuse certification, in whole or in part, of the land use plan pursuant to the following procedure:

(1) No later than 60 working days after a land use plan has been submitted to it, the commission shall, after public hearing and by majority vote of those members present, determine whether the land use plan, or a portion thereof applicable to an identifiable geographic area, raises no substantial issue as to conformity with the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200).

If the commission determines that no substantial issue is raised, the land use plan, or portion thereof applicable to an identifiable area, which raises no substantial issue, shall be deemed certified as submitted. The commission shall adopt findings to support its action.

(2) Where the commission determines pursuant to paragraph (1) that one or more portions of a land use plan applicable to one or more identifiable geographic areas raise no substantial issue as to conformity with the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200), the remainder of that land use plan applicable to other identifiable geographic areas shall be deemed to raise one or more substantial issues as to conformity with the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200). The commission shall identify each substantial issue for each geographic area.

(3) The commission shall hold at least one public hearing on the matter or matters that have been identified as substantial issues pursuant to paragraph (2). No later than 90 working days after the submittal of the land use plan, the commission shall determine whether or not to certify the land use plan, in whole or in part. If the commission fails to act within the required 90-day period, the land use plan, or portion thereof, shall be deemed certified by the commission.

(b) If the commission determines not to certify a land use plan, in whole or in part, the commission shall provide a written explanation and may suggest modifications, which, if adopted and transmitted to the commission by the local government, shall cause the land use plan to be deemed certified upon confirmation of the executive director. The local government may elect to meet the commission’s refusal of certification in a manner other than as suggested by the commission and may then resubmit its revised land use plan to the commission. If a local government requests that the commission not recommend or suggest modifications which, if made, will result in certification, the commission shall refuse certification with the required findings.

(c) The commission shall certify a land use plan, or any amendments thereto, if it finds that a land use plan meets the requirements of, and is in conformity with, the policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200). Except as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), a decision to certify shall require a majority vote of the appointed membership of the commission.

30513.

 (a) The local government shall submit to the commission the zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, and, where necessary, other implementing actions that are required pursuant to this chapter.

(b) If within 60 working days after receipt of the zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, and other implementing actions, the commission, after public hearing, has not rejected the zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, or other implementing actions, they shall be deemed approved. The commission may only reject zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, or other implementing actions on the grounds that they do not conform with, or are inadequate to carry out, the provisions of the certified land use plan. If the commission rejects the zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, or other implementing actions, it shall give written notice of the rejection specifying the provisions of land use plan with which the rejected zoning ordinances do not conform or which it finds will not be adequately carried out together with its reasons for the action taken.

(c) The commission may suggest modifications in the rejected zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, or other implementing actions, which, if adopted by the local government and transmitted to the commission, shall be deemed approved upon confirmation by the executive director.

(d) The local government may elect to meet the commission’s rejection in a manner other than as suggested by the commission and may then resubmit its revised zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, and other implementing actions to the commission.

(e) If a local government requests that the commission not suggest modifications in the rejected zoning ordinances, zoning district maps, or other implementing ordinances, the commission shall not do so.

33503.

 (a) The governing board of the conservancy consists of the following 20 voting members:

(1) The mayor or a member of the city council of each of the Cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage, appointed by a majority of the membership of the respective city council of each city.

(2) The Chairperson of the Tribal Council of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

(3) One member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside, appointed by a majority of the membership of the board of supervisors.

(4) Three members chosen from the general public who reside within the conservancy’s territory, one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(5) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.

(6) The Director of Fish and Wildlife.

(7) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board.

(8) The Director of Parks and Recreation.

(9) The Director of Finance.

(10) The Vice President, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, of the University of California.

(b) Any state official who is a member of the governing board and whose principal office is not within the territory of the conservancy may designate a member of his or her executive staff to vote on his or her behalf and otherwise discharge the duties of the member when the member is not in attendance. Notice of that designation shall be promptly communicated in writing to the chairperson of the conservancy.

(c) Each city council, the Tribal Council of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and the Board of Supervisors of the County of Riverside may appoint an alternate member from its respective entity to attend the governing board meetings and vote on behalf of the appointed member and otherwise discharge the duties of the member when that member is not in attendance. Notice of the designation shall be promptly communicated in writing to the chairperson of the conservancy.

71204.

 Subject to Section 71203, the master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water, that operates in the waters of the state shall do all of the following to minimize the uptake and the release of nonindigenous species:

(a) Discharge only the minimal amount of ballast water essential for vessel operations while in the waters of the state.

(b) Minimize the discharge or uptake of ballast water in areas within, or that may directly affect, marine sanctuaries, marine preserves, marine parks, or coral reefs.

(c) Minimize or avoid uptake of ballast water in all of the following areas and circumstances:

(1) Areas known to have infestations or populations of nonindigenous organisms and pathogens.

(2) Areas near a sewage outfall.

(3) Areas for which the master, owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel has been informed of the presence of toxic algal blooms.

(4) Areas where tidal flushing is known to be poor or in turbid waters.

(5) In darkness when bottom-dwelling organisms may rise up in the water column.

(6) Areas where sediments have been disturbed, such as near dredging operations or where propellers may have recently stirred up the sediment.

(d) Clean the ballast tanks regularly in mid-ocean waters, or under controlled arrangements in port or in drydock, to remove sediments and biofouling organisms and dispose of those organisms and sediments in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

(e) Rinse anchors and anchor chains when retrieving the anchor to remove organisms and sediments at their place of origin.

(f) (1) Remove biofouling organisms from the hull, piping, propellers, sea chests, and other wetted portions of a vessel arriving at a California port or place, on a regular basis, and dispose of removed substances in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), prior to and until the date that the regulations described in Section 71204.6 are adopted, “regular basis” means any of the following:

(A) No longer than by the date of expiration on the vessel’s full-term Safety Construction Certificate or an extension of that expiration date.

(B) No longer than by the date of expiration of the vessel’s full-term United States Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection or an extension of that expiration date by the United States Coast Guard.

(C) No longer than 60 months since the time of the vessel’s last out-of-water drydocking. The commission may approve a time extension to this period.

(3) Inwater cleaning that is performed on the wetted portions of a vessel while in the waters of the state shall be conducted using best available technologies economically achievable, and designed to minimize the release of coating and biological materials, cleaning agents, and byproducts of the cleaning process into the surrounding waters. The cleaning shall be performed in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

(g) Provide access to the commission, upon request, for sampling of biofouling and ballast intake and discharge.

(h) Maintain a ballast water management plan that was prepared specifically for the vessel and that shall, upon request, be made available to the commission for inspection and review. This plan shall be specific to each vessel and shall provide, at a minimum, a description of the ballast water management strategy for the vessel that is sufficiently detailed to allow a master or other appropriate ship’s officer or crew member serving on that vessel to understand and follow the ballast water management strategy.

(i) Train the master, operator, person in charge, and those members of the crew who have responsibilities under the vessel’s ballast water management plan, on the application of ballast water and sediment management and treatment procedures, as well as procedures described in this section, in order to minimize other releases of nonindigenous species from vessels.

71204.9.

 (a) (1) On or before January 31, 2006, the commission, in consultation with the board and in consideration of the advisory panel recommendations described in subdivision (b), shall submit to the Legislature and make available to the public, a report that recommends specific performance standards for the discharge of ballast water into the waters of the state, or into waters that may impact waters of the state. The performance standards shall be based on the best available technology economically achievable and shall be designed to protect the beneficial uses of affected, and potentially affected, waters. If the commission, based on the best available information, and in consultation with the board and in consideration of the advisory panel recommendations, determines that it is technologically and economically achievable to prohibit the discharge of nonindigenous species, the commission shall include this recommendation in the report to the Legislature.

(2) As appropriate, the commission may recommend different performance standards for vessels arriving from mid-ocean waters, for vessels that travel exclusively within the Pacific Coast Region, for new or existing vessels, or for different vessel types. Each set of performance standards shall be based on the best available technology economically achievable for the described category of vessel.

(b) (1) The commission shall convene and consult with an advisory panel in developing the report required by subdivision (a). The advisory panel shall be comprised of persons concerned with performance standards for the discharge of treated ballast water. The advisory panel shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from one or more California regional water quality control boards, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and persons representing shipping, port, conservation, fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, and public water agency interests. The commission shall ensure that the advisory panel meets in a manner that facilitates the effective participation of both the public and panel members.

(2) The advisory panel shall make recommendations regarding the content, issuance, and implementation of the performance standards to the commission.

(3) (A) The advisory panel’s meetings shall be open to the public.

(B) The commission shall provide notice of the advisory panel’s meetings to any person who requests that notice in writing, as well as on the commission’s Internet Web site. The commission shall provide that notice at least 10 days before an advisory panel meeting and shall include a brief general description of the meeting’s agenda and the name, address, and telephone number of a person who can provide additional information before the meeting.

(4) The advisory panel shall submit its recommendations to the commission on or before July 1, 2005.

71205.3.

 (a) The commission shall adopt regulations that do all of the following:

(1) Except as provided in Section 71204.7, require an owner or operator of a vessel carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water that operates in the waters of the state to implement the interim performance standards for the discharge of ballast water recommended in accordance with Table x-1 of the California State Lands Commission Report on Performance Standards for Ballast Water Discharges in California Waters, as approved by the commission on January 26, 2006.

(2) Except as provided in Section 71204.7, require an owner or operator of a vessel carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water that operates in the waters of the state to comply with the interim performance standards by the applicable following date:

(A) Upon first arrival at a California port for new vessels constructed on or after January 1, 2020.

(B) As of the first scheduled drydocking on or after January 1, 2020, for all other vessels.

(3) Notwithstanding Section 71204.7, require an owner or operator of a vessel carrying, or capable of carrying, ballast water that operates in the waters of the state to meet the final performance standard for the discharge of ballast water of zero detectable living organisms for all organism size classes by January 1, 2030.

(b) (1) Not less than 18 months prior to January 1, 2020, and January 1, 2030, the commission, in consultation with the board, the United States Coast Guard, and the advisory panel described in subdivision (b) of Section 71204.9, shall prepare, or update, and submit to the Legislature a review of the efficacy, availability, and environmental impacts, including the effect on water quality, of currently available technologies for ballast water treatment systems. If technologies to meet the performance standards are determined in a review to be unavailable, the commission shall include in that review an assessment of why the technologies are unavailable.

(2) (A) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under this subdivision is inoperative on January 1, 2024, for the interim performance standards, and January 1, 2034, for the final performance standard, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.

(B) A report to be submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

71210.

 (a) The commission, in consultation with the board, the United States Coast Guard, and a technical advisory group made up of interested persons, including, but not limited to, shipping and port representatives, shall sponsor pilot programs for the purpose of evaluating alternatives for treating and otherwise managing ballast water and biofouling. The goal of this effort shall be the reduction or elimination of the discharge of nonindigenous species into the coastal waters of the state or into waters that may impact coastal waters of the state. Whenever possible, the pilot programs shall include funding from federal grants and appropriations, vendor funding, and state bond funds, including, but not limited to, bond funds from the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002. Priority shall be given to projects to test and evaluate treatment technologies that can be used to prevent the introduction and spread of nonindigenous aquatic species into coastal waters of the state by ship-mediated vectors.

(b) (1) The commission shall provide biennial summaries to the Legislature and the public, beginning on or before January 31, 2005, of the results of the pilot programs conducted pursuant to this section. These summary reports shall include, but not be limited to, a description of the projects, the relative effectiveness of the technologies examined in minimizing the discharge of nonindigenous species, and the costs of implementing the technologies.

(2) The summary reports required by this subdivision shall be in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

71211.

 (a) (1) The Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with the commission and the United States Coast Guard, shall collect data necessary to establish and maintain an inventory of the location and geographic range of nonindigenous species populations in the coastal and estuarine waters of the state that includes open coastal waters and bays and estuaries. In particular, data shall be collected that does both of the following:

(A) Supplements the existing baseline of nonindigenous species previously developed pursuant to this section, by adding data from investigations of intertidal and nearshore subtidal habitats along the open coast.

(B) Monitors the coastal and estuarine waters of the state, including, but not limited to, habitats along the open coast, for new introductions of nonindigenous species or spread of existing nonindigenous species populations.

(2) Whenever possible, the study shall use appropriate, existing data, including data from previous studies made pursuant to this section. The Department of Fish and Wildlife shall make the inventory and accompanying analysis available to the public through the Internet on or before January 1, 2007, and annually shall provide to the public an update of that inventory.

(b) (1) The Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with the commission and the United States Coast Guard, shall assess the effectiveness of the ballast water and biofouling controls implemented pursuant to this division by comparing the status and establishment of nonindigenous species populations, as determined from the data collected pursuant to subdivision (a), with the baseline data collected pursuant to this division and submitted in a report to the Legislature in 2003.

(2) Whenever possible, this research shall utilize appropriate, existing data.

(c) Information generated by the research conducted pursuant to this section shall be of the type and in a format useful for subsequent studies and reports undertaken for any of the following purposes:

(1) The determination of alternative discharge zones.

(2) The identification of environmentally sensitive areas to be avoided for uptake or discharge of ballast water.

(3) The long-term effectiveness of biofouling management and ballast water discharge control measures.

(4) The determination of potential risk zones where uptake or discharge of ballast water shall be prohibited.

(5) The rate and risk of establishment of nonindigenous species in the coastal waters of the state, and resulting impacts.

71212.

 On or before January 31, 2005, and updated biennially, the commission, in consultation with the board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the United States Coast Guard, shall submit to the Legislature, and make available to the public, a report that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

(a) A summary of the information provided in the ballast water discharge report forms submitted to the commission, including the volumes of ballast water exchanged, volumes discharged into state waters, types of ballast water treatment, and locations at which ballast water was loaded and discharged.

(b) Monitoring and inspection information collected by the commission pursuant to this division, including a summary of compliance rates, categorized by geographic area and other groupings as information allows.

(c) An analysis of the monitoring and inspection information, including recommendations for actions to be undertaken to improve the effectiveness of the monitoring and inspection program.

(d) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures taken to reduce or eliminate the discharge of nonindigenous species from vessels, including recommendations regarding action that should be taken to improve the effectiveness of those measures.

(e) A summary of the research completed during the two-year period that precedes the release of the report, and ongoing research, on the release of nonindigenous species by vessels.

71213.

 The commission, the board, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with interested stakeholders, shall identify and conduct any other research determined necessary to carry out the requirements of this division. The research may relate to the transport and release of nonindigenous species by vessels, the methods of sampling and monitoring of the nonindigenous species transported or released by vessels, the rate or risk of release or establishment of nonindigenous species in the waters of the state and resulting impacts, and the means by which to reduce or eliminate a release or establishment. The research shall focus on assessing or developing methodologies for treating or otherwise managing ballast water and biofouling to reduce or eliminate the discharge or establishment of nonindigenous species.

71215.

 (a) (1) The Marine Invasive Species Control Fund is hereby created. The money in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be used solely to carry out this division.

(2) All money accruing to the Exotic Species Control Fund shall be transferred to the Marine Invasive Species Control Fund.

(b) (1) The commission shall administer the fund in accordance with this chapter.

(2) The commission shall establish, through regulation, a reasonable and appropriate fee solely for the purposes of carrying out this division. The fee may not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each voyage, as described in subdivision (c). This amount may be adjusted for inflation every two years.

(3) In establishing fees, the commission shall consult with a technical advisory group made up of interested persons, including, but not limited to, shipping and port representatives.

(4) The commission may establish lower levels of fees and the maximum amount of fees for individual shipping companies or vessels. Any fee schedule established, including the level of fees and the maximum amount of fees, shall take into account the impact of the fees on vessels operating from California in the Hawaii or Alaska trades, the frequency of calls by particular vessels to California ports within a year, the ballast water and biofouling management practices of the vessels, and other relevant considerations.

(c) The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, in accordance with Part 22.5 (commencing with Section 44000) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, shall collect the fee from the owner or operator of each vessel that arrives at a California port or place from a port or place outside of California. That fee may not be assessed on any vessel arriving at a California port or place if that vessel comes directly from another California port or place and during that transit has not first arrived at a port or place outside California or moved outside the EEZ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) prior to arrival at the subsequent California port or place.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all fees imposed pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Marine Invasive Species Control Fund.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all penalties and payments collected for violations of any requirements of this division shall be deposited into the Marine Invasive Species Control Fund.

71216.

 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), a person who intentionally or negligently fails to comply with the requirements of this division may be liable for an administrative civil penalty in an amount that shall not exceed twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500) for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(b) A person who fails to comply with the reporting requirements set forth in Section 71205 may be liable for an administrative civil penalty in an amount that shall not exceed twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500) per violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(c) A person who, knowingly and with intent to deceive, falsifies a ballast water or biofouling management report form required by this division, or knowingly and with intent to deceive, tampers with or disables a system for controlling the release of nonindigenous species, required by this division, may be liable for an administrative civil penalty in an amount that shall not exceed twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500) per violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(d) The executive officer of the commission may issue a complaint to a person on whom civil liability may be imposed pursuant to this division. The complaint shall allege the facts or failures to act that constitute a basis for liability and the amount of the proposed civil liability. The complaint shall be served by personal service or certified mail and shall inform the person served of the right to a hearing. A person served with a complaint pursuant to this subdivision may, within 30 days after service of the complaint, request a hearing by filing with the executive officer a notice of defense, as described in Section 11506 of the Government Code. A notice of defense is deemed to be filed within the 30-day period if it is postmarked within the 30-day period. If a hearing is requested by the person, it shall be conducted within 30 days after the executive officer receives the notice of defense. If no notice of defense is filed within 30 days after service of the complaint, the executive officer shall issue an order setting liability in the amount proposed in the complaint unless the executive officer and the person have entered into a settlement agreement, in which case the executive officer shall issue an order setting liability in the amount specified in the settlement agreement. If the person has not filed a notice of defense or if the executive officer and the person have entered into a settlement agreement, the order shall not be subject to review by a court or agency.

(e) A hearing required pursuant to this section shall be conducted by an independent hearing officer, in accordance with the procedures specified in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, except as otherwise specified in this section. In making a determination, the hearing officer shall take into consideration the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, the violator’s past and present efforts to prevent, abate, or clean up conditions posing a threat to the public health and safety of the environment, and the violator’s ability to pay the proposed civil penalty. After conducting a hearing required pursuant to this section, the hearing officer shall, within 30 days after the case is submitted, issue a decision, including an order setting the amount, if any, of the civil penalty to be imposed.

(f) An order setting civil liability and issued pursuant to this section is effective and final upon issuance. The violator shall pay any penalty within 30 days of service, unless he or she seeks judicial review pursuant to subdivision (g), in which case he or she shall pay any penalty within 30 days of service of the court’s order setting civil liability. A copy of the order shall be served by personal service or by certified mail upon the person served with the complaint and upon other persons who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy.

(g) Within 30 days after service of a copy of a decision issued by the hearing officer that the person served is liable for a civil penalty, a person so served may file a petition for writ of mandate for review of the decision pursuant to Section 11523 of the Government Code. A person who fails to file the petition within the 30-day period shall not challenge the reasonableness or validity of a decision or order of the hearing officer in any judicial proceedings brought to enforce the decision or order or for other remedies. Except as otherwise provided in this section, Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall govern a proceeding conducted pursuant to this subdivision. In a proceeding pursuant to this subdivision, the court shall uphold the decision of the hearing officer if the decision is based upon substantial evidence in the whole record. The filing of a petition for writ of mandate shall not stay any corrective action required pursuant to this act or the accrual of any penalties assessed pursuant to this act. This subdivision does not prohibit the court from granting any appropriate relief within its jurisdiction.

(h) An order for administrative penalties entered pursuant to this section shall be subject to interest at the legal rate from the filing date of the complaint as specified in subdivision (d).

(i) A provision of this chapter or a ruling of the executive officer shall not be construed to limit, abridge, or supersede the power of the Attorney General, at the request of the executive officer, or upon his or her own motion, to bring an action in the name of the people of the State of California to enjoin a violation of this division, seek necessary remedial action by a person who violates this division, or seek civil and criminal penalties against a person who violates this division.

(j) In lieu of a complaint pursuant to subdivision (d) to impose administrative civil penalties set forth in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), the Attorney General, at the request of the commission, may bring an action in superior court, in the name of the people of the State of California, to enjoin a violation of this division, seek necessary remedial action by a person who violates this division, or seek civil penalties in the amounts set forth in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c).