Article 13. Expenses Of Determination of California Water Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 13.

At the time of the submission of proofs, the board shall collect from each claimant the fee established pursuant to Section 1528.

At the time of, or as soon as practicable after the mailing of, its order of determination the board shall compute the entire expense it has incurred in performing the duties prescribed in this chapter, including salaries, wages, traveling expenses, and all costs of whatever character which are properly chargeable to the proceeding.

If the total amount of expense exceeds the total amount received from claimants at the time of submission of proofs, the excess expense shall be equitably apportioned by the board against the parties to the proceeding.

A statement setting forth the expense and the apportionments thereof against the respective parties shall be sent by registered mail by the board to each of the parties and filed with the court.

Upon application in writing by any party aggrieved within 30 days after the statement of expense and the apportionment thereof has been mailed to the parties, the court shall after expiration of said period set for hearing the determination of any objections to the expense or to the apportionments thereof.

The clerk of the court shall, at least 10 days prior to the date of hearing, give notice thereof by mail to all parties.

If no objection is filed with the court within the prescribed periods the court upon ex parte application of the board shall enter a judgment against the parties in favor of the board in the amounts apportioned to them.

Any party failing to object to the expense or the apportionments thereof waives all objections thereto.

Upon the hearing of objections to the expense or the apportionments thereof the court shall determine the expense and its apportionment as the court deems equitable and shall enter judgment against the parties in favor of the board in the amounts apportioned to them.

If the funds available for use by the board are inadequate to enable it to undertake the expense of any proceeding under this chapter or if in its judgment reimbursement for the expense of any such proceeding is not reasonably certain, it may refuse to proceed with its investigation and to undertake the proceeding, unless and until such provision is made by persons interested as may be satisfactory to the board and deemed by it sufficient to secure reimbursement or payment to it for its expenses.

During the pendency of any proceedings under this chapter, the board, after at least 20 days' notice to the parties, may order interim or partial payments of the expense to be made by the parties as the board deems proper and equitable under the circumstances.

If a party fails to pay the expenses apportioned to that party when due, the board may refer the matter for collection of the unpaid expenses pursuant to Section 1536.