California Code, Public Resources Code - PRC § 30354

(a) The executive director of the commission shall review and evaluate each claim submitted pursuant to this article and shall determine whether:

(b) The executive director of the commission shall submit to the Controller, on behalf of each claimant local government, all claims submitted pursuant to this section together with the executive director's recommendation whether the Controller should allow or deny, in whole or in part, the claim.  A copy of each claim shall also be sent to the claimant local government at the time such claim is submitted to the Controller.  The executive director's recommendation shall be based on their determinations made pursuant to this article.  If the executive director fails to make a recommendation by the time claims are required to be submitted to the Controller, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 30352, the executive director shall be deemed to have recommended approval of the claim.

(c) The provisions of Section 17561 of the Government Code shall apply to claims filed pursuant to this article, provided that where a conflict between Section 17561 of the Government Code and this article occurs, the conflict shall be resolved in a manner that best carries out the purposes of this article.  The Controller shall apply the criteria of this article in determining whether to allow or deny, in whole or in part, a claim and shall consider the recommendations of the executive director of the commission.