(a) Within 30 days of the submission of the application, the commission shall review the application and make a determination of completeness.

(b) The executive director may require the applicant to submit additional information, documents, or data determined to be reasonably necessary to prepare the environmental impact report for the application and to make a decision on the application. The executive director shall also require the applicant to submit additional information requested by trustee agencies for the purposes of supporting a decision on the application and environmental impact report. The executive director shall transmit the request for additional information within 30 days of the submission of the application.

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(c) An application is deemed completed as follows:

(1) Thirty days after the submission of the application, if the executive director does not require the submission of additional information pursuant to subdivision (b).

(2) Immediately upon acceptance of the additional information requested by the executive director pursuant to subdivision (b), if the executive director requires the submission of additional information pursuant to subdivision (b).

(d) The executive director may request additional information from the applicant to address comments by public agencies on the scope and content of the information that is required to be included in an environmental impact report for certification. The applicant shall provide to the commission the requested information within 30 days of receiving the request.

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no later than 270 days after the application is deemed complete, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the commission shall determine whether to certify the environmental impact report and to issue a certificate for the site and related facilities pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply, and the time to certify the environmental impact report or issue a certificate for the site and related facilities pursuant to this chapter may be extended if one or more of the following occurs:

(A) The commission is required to recirculate the environmental impact report pursuant to Section 15088.5 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.

(B) Substantial changes are proposed in the project that may involve new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.

(C) Substantial changes occur with respect to the circumstances under which the project is undertaken that may involve new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.

(D) New information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence before the commission publishes the notice of availability pursuant to Section 25545.7.6, is submitted that may require additional analysis and consideration.

(E) The commission, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the State Water Resources Control Board, if applicable, determines that additional time is necessary to obtain information and conduct surveys, including due to seasonal constraints.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 61, Sec. 4. (AB 205) Effective June 30, 2022.)