(a) In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, any employee or authorized representative of an administering agency has the authority specified in Section 25185, with respect to the premises of a handler, and in Section 25185.5, with respect to real property which is within 2,000 feet of the premises of a handler, except that this authority shall include inspections concerning hazardous material, in addition to hazardous waste.
(b) In addition to the requirements of Section 25537, the administering agency shall conduct inspections of every business subject to this article at least once every three years to determine if the business is in compliance with this article. However, the administering agency may designate the county agricultural commissioner to conduct the inspections of agricultural handlers. The administering agency or its designee for agricultural handlers shall give priority, when conducting these inspections, to inspecting facilities which store an amount of acutely hazardous materials, as defined in Section 25532, equal to, or greater than, the amount specified in subdivision (a) of Section 25536. In establishing a schedule for conducting inspections pursuant to this section, the administering agency may adopt and use an index of the volatility, toxicity, and quantity of acutely hazardous materials and hazardous materials. Administering agencies and designees shall attempt to schedule the inspections conducted pursuant to this section and Section 25537, when applicable, during the same time period.