§ 42033.4

(a) A program operator shall keep minutes, books, and records that clearly reflect the activities and transactions of the program operator’s stewardship program.

(b) (1) The minutes, books, and records of a program operator shall be audited at the program operator’s expense by an independent certified public accountant retained by the program operator at least once each calendar year.

(2) A program operator shall arrange for the independent certified public accountant audit to be delivered to the department, along with the annual report and program budget submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 42033.2.

(3) The department may conduct its own audit of a program operator. The department shall review the independent certified public accountant audit for compliance with this chapter and consistency with the program operator’s stewardship plan, annual report, and program budget submitted pursuant to this chapter. The department shall notify the program operator of any conduct or practice that does not comply with this chapter or of any inconsistencies identified in the department’s audit. The program operator may obtain copies of the department’s audit, including proprietary information contained in the department’s audit, upon request. The department shall not disclose any confidential proprietary information protected pursuant to Section 42036.4 that is included in the department’s audit.

(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 1004, Sec. 1. (SB 212) Effective January 1, 2019.)