Pub. Resources Code, § 14588.1

(a) As used in this chapter, “unfair and predatory pricing” means the payment to consumers by a supermarket site, that receives handling fees for the redemption of beverage containers, in an amount that exceeds the sum of both of the following:

(1) The California refund value for that container.

(2) (A) If the supermarket site is not located in a rural region, the average scrap value paid per pound for that container type by specified certified recycling centers located within a five-mile radius of the supermarket site on the date of the alleged occurrence, the day before the alleged occurrence, and the day after the alleged occurrence.

(B) If the supermarket site is located in a rural region, the average scrap value paid per pound for that container type by specified certified recycling centers located within a 10-mile radius of the supermarket site on the date of the alleged occurrence, the day before the alleged occurrence, and the day after the alleged occurrence.

(b) In calculating the three-day average price paid by recyclers within the specified distance of a recycler alleged to have engaged in predatory pricing, as required by subdivision (a), the department shall only survey those recyclers who did not receive handling fees in three or more of the 12 whole months immediately preceding the date of the allegation of predatory pricing.

(c) For purposes of this chapter, “rural region” means a nonurban area identified by the department on an annual basis using the loan eligibility criteria of the Rural Housing Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Administration, or its successor agency. Those criteria include, but are not limited to, places, open country, cities, towns, or census designated places with populations that are less than 10,000 persons. The department may designate an area with population of between 10,000 and 50,000 persons as a rural region, unless the area is identified as part of, or associated with, an urban area, as determined by the department on an individual basis.