(a)

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, including

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title 2, and

Part 3 (commencing with

Section 13000) of the Government Code, and except as provided in subdivision (b), for any proposed regulation that relates to the maximum contaminant levels for primary or secondary drinking water standards, as defined in subdivisions (

c) and (

d) of

Section 116275, that is submitted by the department to the Office of Administrative Law for review, pursuant to

Section 11349.1 of the Government Code, the Department of Finance shall take no longer than days, commencing on the date that the department submits the rule or regulation to the Department of Finance, to do any of the following: (

A) Review any estimate pursuant to subdivision (

c) of

Section of the Government Code. (

B) Provide a letter or documentation, if required, pursuant to

Section 11349.1 of the Government Code. (

C) Complete any other function in connection with the adoption of proposed regulations that relates to the maximum contaminant levels for primary or secondary drinking water standards, as required pursuant to any provision of

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code. (

D) Return the proposed regulation if the department has not prepared the estimate required by paragraph (6) of subdivision (

a) of

Section 11346.5 of the Government Code, in accordance with

Section of the Government Code.

(2) If the Department of Finance returns the proposed regulation pursuant to subparagraph (

D) of paragraph (1), an additional day time period under this

section shall begin when the regulations are resubmitted by the department to the Department of Finance.

(3) If the Department of Finance takes longer than days to complete any of the functions set forth in subparagraphs (

A) to (D), inclusive, of paragraph (1), the proposed regulations shall be exempt from any provision of

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code that requires the involvement of the Department of Finance, and the department and the Office of Administrative Law shall proceed with all other applicable procedures in connection with the adoption of proposed regulations. (

b) Subdivision (

a) shall not apply to any regulation adopted by the department that reduces, weakens, lessens, or otherwise undermines any requirement established pursuant to this

chapter for the protection of public health.