Finding F2
During the investigation, SMCSD’s online edible food recovery complaint form was not functional when tested, and the Grand Jury could not locate publicly accessible written complaint procedures for the jurisdictions reviewed. Although a countywide form is not mandated, 14 CCR § 18995.3 requires each jurisdiction to provide a procedure for receipt and investigation of written complaints and to allow anonymous complaints.
Jury report: More Food for Thought: County Sustainability Department Has Not Implemented Required SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Enforcement Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkOfficial response
San Mateo County Sustainability Department
SMCSD labels its position partial disagreement, accepts the complaint-procedure requirement, neither agrees nor disagrees that the form failed because it cannot verify the test, and identifies email/telephone alternatives and a newly added direct web link.
Read official response · PDF page 2The explicit partial-disagreement label is retained, but the response does not clearly identify a disputed conclusion about publicly accessible written procedures across the reviewed jurisdictions. Alternate channels and a direct link do not independently establish anonymous receipt/investigation procedures for each jurisdiction, or that the earlier form worked. The score concerns the document’s mapping and explanation, not a legal ruling or live website test.
This review evaluates the response document. Implementation claims have not been independently verified.