Section 40440.7.

(a)  Whenever the south coast district intends to propose the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule or regulation that will significantly affect air quality or emissions limitations, the south coast district shall conduct one or more public workshops.

(b)  Notice of the time and place of the first workshop shall be given not less than 75 days prior to the meeting at which the south coast district board will consider the proposed rule or regulation by publication in each county in the south coast district pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code and by mail to every person who filed a written request for notice of proposed regulatory action with the south coast district and any person the south coast district believes to be interested in attending the workshop.

(c)  The notice shall include at least the following:

(1)  A description of the air quality objective to be discussed.

(2)  A statement that the workshop is being held for the purposes of soliciting information and suggestions from the public on achieving the air quality objective.

(3)  A request for submittal of any documents, studies, and reports that may be relevant to the subject of the workshop, and the name, address, and telephone number of the district officer or employee to whom they should be sent.

(4)  A list of supporting information and documents, including a preliminary staff report, prepared by the south coast district or at its direction, and other materials relevant to the subject of the workshop that are available, and the name, address, and telephone number of the district officer or employee from whom copies of the materials may be obtained.

(d)  If the south coast district thereafter proposes the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule or regulation that was the subject of a workshop, the south coast district shall respond to all written comments submitted during the workshop in preparing the environmental assessment on the proposed rule or regulation.

(e)  The time and place for a workshop shall be selected on the basis of affording an opportunity to participate to the greatest number of persons expected to be interested in the workshop.

(f)  The requirements of this section are not intended to restrict the south coast district in conducting other public workshops and other meetings for the exchange of information under circumstances not specifically addressed in this section.

(g)  A workshop or other meeting shall not constitute consideration of a "regulatory measure" within the meaning of Section 40923.

(h)  This section is not intended to change, and shall not be construed as changing, any entitlement or protection conferred by the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 371, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1993.)