(a) Any person or business may file an application with the Department of General Services for compensation based on personal injury, property loss, business loss, or other economic loss, claimed to have been incurred as a result of the Lake Davis Northern Pike Eradication Project. Any application made pursuant to this section shall be presented to the department in accordance with this division. A late claim may be presented to the department pursuant to the procedure specified by Section 911.4. Each application shall contain, in addition to the information required by Section 910, all of the following:
(1) The legal name of any business claiming a loss, as well as the names of the owners and officers of the business.
(2) For any property owner claiming diminution of property value, the names of all persons holding a legal interest in the property.
(3) The name of any person claiming to have suffered personal injury.
(4) An authorization permitting the office of the Attorney General or its designee to obtain relevant medical, employment, business, property, and tax records.
(5) A brief statement describing when, where, and how the injury, loss, or diminution in market value occurred.
(b) Upon receipt of an application presented pursuant to this section from the Department of General Services, the office of the Attorney General or its designee shall examine the application and may require the applicant to submit additional information or documents that are necessary to verify and evaluate the application. The office of the Attorney General or its designee shall attempt to resolve an application within six months from the effective date of this part unless this period of time is extended by mutual agreement between the office of the Attorney General or its designee and the applicant. Any application that does not result in a final settlement agreement within the resolution period shall be deemed denied, allowing the claimant to proceed with a court action pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 945) of Part 4.
(c) The office of the Attorney General or its designee shall adopt guidelines in consultation with one representative designated by the City of Portola, one representative designated by the County of Plumas, and one member of the public to be selected jointly by the city and the county. Any guidelines so developed shall be used to evaluate and settle claims filed pursuant to this part. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2, any regulations adopted thereunder by the Attorney General in order to implement this section shall not be subject to the review and approval of the Office of Administrative Law, nor subject to the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11370), Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400), and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2).
(d) Any court action following denial of an application, including denial pursuant to subdivision (b), shall be filed within six months of the mailing date of the department’s rejection or denial of the application or the applicant’s rejection of the department’s offer pursuant to Section 945.6 or subdivision (b) of Section 998.3.
(e) Any claim pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) made before or after the effective date of this part for personal injury, property loss, business loss, or other economic loss resulting from the Lake Davis Northern Pike Eradication Project against the State of California or it’s agencies, officers, or employees, shall be deemed to be an application under this part and is subject to the provisions set forth in this part. Additionally, any application made pursuant to this part shall be deemed to be in compliance with Part 3 (commencing with Section 900).
(f) Notwithstanding any other law, the resolution or denial of an application pursuant to this part is a condition precedent to the filing of any action for personal injury, property damage, business loss, or other economic loss, resulting from the Lake Davis Northern Pike Eradication Project in any court of the State of California, against the State of California or it’s agencies, officers, or employees. Any suit filed by an applicant in any court of this state against the State of California or its agencies, officers, or employees shall be stayed pending resolution or denial of the application.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 31, Sec. 57. (SB 836) Effective June 27, 2016.)