(a) For the purposes of this section, a “serious bug or defect” in a certified software vendor's electronic filing system is one that changes the content or format of the data moving through the API such that the information submitted by the filer is not materially similar to the information posted to CAL-ACCESS. A bug or defect that results in minor formatting issues, such as a small number of extra spaces between words, shall not be considered serious.

(b) Each certified software vendor shall log all bugs or defects in its electronic filing system and provide those logs to the Secretary of State within one (1) business day upon the Secretary of State's request.

(c) Each certified software vendor shall report all serious bugs or defects in its electronic filing system as soon as practicable, but no later than one (1) business day after discovery, to the Secretary of State.

(d) Each certified software vendor shall resolve any serious bug or defect in its electronic filing system within three (3) business days of reporting it to the Secretary of State, or by a mutually-agreed-on date between the certified software vendor and the Secretary of State.

(e) Upon discovery of a serious bug or defect in its electronic filing system, the certified software vendor shall immediately cease transmission through the API of the unintended data or formats. The certified software vendor shall not resume data transmission until the bug or defect causing the issue is resolved and the Secretary of State notifies the certified software vendor that it may resume data transmission.

(f) Each certified software vendor shall, in a timely manner, notify all filers affected by any serious bug or defect in its electronic filing system of the issue and provide instructions on alternate means to file with the Secretary of State until the issue is resolved. This notification requirement shall apply only to filers for whom the certified software vendor has contact information, such as its customers.