(a) Within 30 days of deciding to become or form a groundwater sustainability agency, the local agency or combination of local agencies shall inform the department of its decision and its intent to undertake sustainable groundwater management. The notification shall include the following information, as applicable:

(1) The service area boundaries, the boundaries of the basin or portion of the basin the agency intends to manage pursuant to this part, and the other agencies managing or proposing to manage groundwater within the basin.

(2) A copy of the resolution forming the new agency.

(3) A copy of any new bylaws, ordinances, or new authorities adopted by the local agency.

(4) A list of interested parties developed pursuant to Section 10723.2 and an explanation of how their interests will be considered in the development and operation of the groundwater sustainability agency and the development and implementation of the agency’s sustainability plan.

(b) The department shall post all complete notices received under this section on its Internet Web site within 15 days of receipt.

(c) The decision to become a groundwater sustainability agency shall take effect 90 days after the department posts notice under subdivision (b) if no other local agency submits a notification under subdivision (a) of its intent to undertake groundwater management in all or a portion of the same area. If another notification is filed within the 90-day period, the decision shall not take effect unless the other notification is withdrawn or modified to eliminate any overlap in the areas proposed to be managed. The local agencies shall seek to reach agreement to allow prompt designation of a groundwater sustainability agency. If agreement is reached involving a material change from the information in the posted notice, a new notification shall be submitted under subdivision (a) and the department shall post notice under subdivision (b).

(d) Except as provided in subdivisions (e) and (f), after the decision to be a groundwater sustainability agency takes effect, the groundwater sustainability agency shall be presumed to be the exclusive groundwater sustainability agency within the area of the basin within the service area of the local agency that the local agency is managing as described in the notice.

(e) A groundwater sustainability agency may withdraw from managing a basin by notifying the department in writing of its intent to withdraw.

(f) This section does not preclude the board from taking an action pursuant to Section 10735.6.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 255, Sec. 8. (SB 13) Effective January 1, 2016.)