(a) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 5700) of Division 6 of Title 1 of the Government Code shall not apply to any bonds or other forms of indebtedness issued for the benefit, or on behalf, of Golden State Energy.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, whenever Golden State Energy deems that it will be in the best interests of its ratepayers, it may exercise an exclusive right to select and retain, or have any conduit issuer issuing bonds or other forms of indebtedness for its benefit or on its behalf select and retain, the services of private entities, including, but not limited to, underwriters, bond counsels, tax counsels, disclosure counsels, financial advisers, bond insurers, or other entities providing risk management services for bonds or other forms of indebtedness issued for its benefit or on its behalf. Payment for any of these private entities may be made out of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds or other forms of indebtedness issued for the benefit, or on behalf, of Golden State Energy.