For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

for CECs in drinking water specified in Section 116418.

work to improve the knowledge of CECs in drinking water by assessing the state of information, and may recommend areas for further studies, such as the following:

(A) Seven experts appointed by the deputy director from the following fields:

(ii) Water and wastewater, including water treatment, engineering.

(iii) Toxicology.

(iv) Epidemiology.

(vi) Biological sciences, including pathogens.

(vii) Human health risk assessment.

(B) One expert in public health who has expertise in water contamination, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly within 60 days of the deputy director calling for the formation of the panel.

(C) One expert in public health who has expertise in water contamination, appointed by the President pro Tempore of the

Senate within 60 days of the deputy director calling for the formation of the panel.

the state’s CEC initiatives.

results of any screening program, which may include screening programs within California and throughout the United States, and provide recommendations to assist the deputy director in prioritizing, monitoring, evaluating health impacts, and informing regulatory determinations for CECs.

ongoing efforts on

perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and CECs.

eligible recipients. Eligible recipients of these funds shall be community water systems serving fewer than 10,000 individuals and located in disadvantaged communities. The state board may also provide funding to technical assistance providers that assist eligible recipients in complying with CEC monitoring imposed by the state board.

“technical assistance provider” has the same meaning as defined in Section 116767.

The Legislature finds and declares that the program is intended to help inform the deputy director in recommending regulatory determinations for CECs and is not intended to supersede any requirements related to setting

drinking water standards or a public health goal as prescribed in Section 116365 or a notification level or a response level as prescribed in Section 116455.

those activities.

116375 and administrative costs.

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 of the Government Code).

board.

Implementation of this article is contingent upon an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this article in the annual Budget Act or another statute.