(a) Any person or local agency may file a written request with the executive officer requesting amendments to a sphere of influence or urban service area adopted by the commission. The request shall state the nature of the proposed amendment, state the reasons for the request, include a map of the proposed amendment, and contain any additional data and information as may be required by the executive officer.

(b) After complying with the California Environmental Quality Act, Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, the executive officer shall place the request on the agenda of the next meeting of the commission for which notice can be given. The executive officer shall give notice in the manner provided by Section 56427. On the date and time provided in the notice, the commission may do either of the following:

(1) Without further notice, consider the amendments to a sphere of influence.

(2) Set a future date for the hearing on the request.

(c) The executive officer shall review each requested amendment and prepare a report and recommendation. The report shall be completed not less than five days before the date specified in the notice of hearing. The executive officer shall send copies of the report to the person or agency making the request, each affected local agency, and each person who has filed a request for a report.

(d) At its meeting, the commission shall consider the request and receive any oral or written testimony. The consideration may be continued from time to time, but not to exceed 70 days from the date specified in the original notice. The person or agency which filed the request may withdraw it at any time prior to the conclusion of the consideration by the commission.

(e) At the conclusion of its consideration, the commission may approve with or without amendment, wholly, partially, or conditionally, or disapprove the request. The commission shall follow the procedures in Section 56425.

(f) The commission may require the person or agency making a request pursuant to this section to pay a fee to cover the commission’s costs. The fee shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service and shall be set pursuant to Section 56383. The commission may waive the fee if it finds that the request can be considered and studied as part of the periodic review of spheres of influence required by Section 56425. In addition, the commission may waive the fee if it finds that payment would be detrimental to the public interest.

(g) The commission and executive officer may review and act on any request to amend a sphere of influence or urban service area concurrently with their review and determination on any related change of organization or reorganization. In case of a conflict between the provisions of this section and any other provisions of this part, the other provisions shall prevail.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 300, Sec. 69. (AB 1430) Effective January 1, 2012.)