(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that local entities that are potential participants in this pilot program shall be assured of sufficient time to plan their pilot projects, and that the selected pilot project sites shall be assured of sufficient time to phase in the implementation of their programs. To that end, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department, in consultation with potential pilot project sites and the pilot program working group, shall develop a realistic timeline with guidelines for the planning and implementation of pilot projects.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the department, in consultation with the pilot program working group, from establishing a two-stage selection process in which local pilot project sites may be selected on a preliminary basis. Final selection of local pilot project sites shall be based on the completion of an administrative action plan that the department determines satisfactorily meets the selection criteria.