(

a) The department shall specify the criteria the department shall use and the actions the department shall take when initiating a moratorium on new WIC Program retail food vendor location applications. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may, without taking regulatory action pursuant to

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, implement, interpret, or make specific this

section by means of a vendor bulletin when initiating a moratorium on new WIC Program retail food vendor location applications. (

b) A vendor bulletin initiating a moratorium, at a minimum, shall include all of the following:

(1) The reason for, and the maximum duration of, a moratorium.

(2) An action plan with specific steps the department plans to take by the identified end date of the moratorium that addresses the reason or need for the moratorium. The department shall make this information, including any changes to the action plan, available to the public by posting this information on the department’s Internet Web site and through other forms of electronic communication.

(3) Exceptions for processing applications during the moratorium period, including the processing of a retail food vendor’s application to add a specific store location to a current master vendor agreement if the department received the vendor’s completed application for that store location prior to the effective date of the moratorium. (

c) The department shall provide retail food vendors with a minimum of days’ notice prior to the effective date of, or extension of, a moratorium. (

d) The department shall seek any federal approvals necessary to implement this section. (

e) Moratoriums required by federal directive shall not be subject to the requirements of this section.