11009.5.
(a) For purposes of this section:(1) “Displaced” means a condition in which the person or business is unable to return to the address of record or other address associated with the license before experiencing economic hardship.
(2) “Economic hardship” means the inability to pay living or business expenses, unless otherwise defined by a state agency pursuant to subdivision (c).
(3) “Emergency” means an emergency as defined in Section 8558 or a declared federal emergency.
(4) “License” includes, but is not
limited to, a certificate, registration, or other document required to engage in business.
(5) “Licensing services” includes, but is not limited to, replacing a physical copy of a license that is required to be displayed or carried, applying for or renewing a license, and applying for a waiver or reduction of licensing fees.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues any business license may establish a process for a person or business that has been displaced or is experiencing economic hardship as a result of an emergency to submit an application, that the agency may grant, for a reduction or waiver of any fees required by the agency to obtain a license, renew or activate a license, or replace a physical license for display.
(c) A fee or waiver process established pursuant to subdivision (b) shall specify, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1) The methodology used by the agency for determining whether a person, as a result of an emergency, has been displaced or is experiencing economic hardship.
(2) The procedure for applying for a reduction or fee waiver.
(3) That the application shall be made within one year of the date on which the emergency was proclaimed or declared.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues any business license shall establish a process to expedite licensing services for a person or
business that meets any either of the following criteria:
(1) The person or business has been displaced by an emergency proclaimed or declared within 365 days of the request for licensing services.
(2)The person or business resides or is located in an area affected by an emergency proclaimed or declared within 365 days of the request for licensing services.
(3)
(2) The person or business is experiencing economic hardship directly resulting from an emergency proclaimed or declared within 365 days of the request for licensing services.