(1) The department shall enter into a contract with each local health jurisdiction subject to the requirements of this chapter to implement plans developed under this chapter, and to develop or enhance electronic data systems required by this chapter. The contract must include state funding assistance to the local health jurisdiction from funds appropriated to the department for this purpose.

(2) The contract must require, at a minimum, that within a marine recovery area, the local health jurisdiction:

(a) Show progressive improvement in finding failing systems;

(b) Show progressive improvement in working with on-site sewage disposal system owners to make needed system repairs;

(c) Is actively taking steps to find previously unknown systems and ensuring that they are inspected as required and repaired if necessary;

(d) Show progressive improvement in the percentage of on-site sewage disposal systems that are included in an electronic data system; and

(e) Of those on-site sewage disposal systems in the electronic data system, show progressive improvement in the percentage that have had required inspections.

(3) The contract must also include provisions for state assistance in updating the plan. Beginning July 1, 2012, the contract may adopt revised compliance dates, including those in RCW 70A.110.050, where the local health jurisdiction has demonstrated substantial progress in updating the on-site strategy.

(4) The department shall convene a work group for the purpose of making recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature for the development of certification or licensing of maintenance specialists. The work group shall make its recommendation with consideration given to the 1998 report to the legislature entitled "On-Site Wastewater Certification Work Group" as it pertains to maintenance specialists. The work group may give priority to appropriate levels of certification or licensure of maintenance specialists who work in the Puget Sound basin.