Section 14682 - Final determination of use of existing facilities(a) Final determination of the use of existing state-owned and state-leased facilities that are currently under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services by state agencies shall be made by the Department of General Services. (b) A request of an agency that is required to be made to and approved by the Department of General Services to acquire new facilities through lease, purchase, or construction shall first consider the utilization of existing state-owned, state-leased, or state-controlled facilities before considering the leasing of additional facilities on behalf of a state agency. If no available appropriate state facilities exist, the Department of General Services shall procure approved new facilities for the agency that meet the agency's needs using cost efficiency as a primary criterion, among other agency-specific criteria, as applicable. (c) When tenant state agencies located in existing state-owned or state-leased facilities vacate their premises, they shall continue paying rent for the facilities unless and until a new tenant can be assigned or until the Department of General Services can negotiate a mutual termination of the lease. If the department generates the tenant's relinquishment, or if the tenant is vacating in accordance with the provisions of its lease agreement, the tenant shall not be obligated to pay rent after vacating the premises.Amended by Stats 2006 ch 538 (SB 1852),s 264, eff. 1/1/2007.Added by Stats 2005 ch 107 (SB 245),s 2, eff. 1/1/2006.