(a) Notwithstanding Section 42023.2, the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Subaccount in the Integrated Waste Management Account to the department for the purposes of providing loans for the creation and retention of jobs and economic activity in this state for the manufacture and recycling of plastic reusable grocery bags that use recycled content, including postconsumer recycled material.
(b) The department may expend, if there are applicants eligible for funding from the Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Subaccount, the funds appropriated pursuant to this section to provide loans for both of the following:
(1) Development and conversion of machinery and facilities for the manufacture of single-use plastic bags into machinery and facilities for the manufacturer of durable reusable grocery bags that, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Section 42281.
(2) Development of equipment for the manufacture of reusable grocery bags, that, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Section 42281.
(c) A recipient of a loan authorized by this section shall agree, as a condition of receiving the loan, to retain and retrain existing employees for the manufacturing of reusable grocery bags that, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Section 42281.
(d) Any moneys appropriated pursuant to this section not expended by the end of the 2015–16 fiscal year shall revert to the Recycling Market Development Revolving Loan Subaccount for expenditure pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 42010) of Chapter 1.
(e) Applicants for funding under this section may also apply for funding or benefits from other economic development programs for which they may be eligible, including, but not limited to, both of the following:
(1) An income tax credit, as described in Sections 17059.2 and 23689 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(2) A tax exemption pursuant to Section 6377.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 850, Sec. 1. (SB 270) Effective date for subdivisions (b) through (e) postponed (until November 9, 2016) by referendum petition. Approved in referendum Proposition 67 at the November 8, 2016, election. Note: Subdivision (a) was not subject to the referendum and took effect on January 1, 2015.)