(a) This section shall apply only to quasi-legislative cases, except, if the commissioner assigned pursuant to Section 1701.1 has determined that a quasi-legislative case does not require a hearing, the procedures prescribed by subdivisions (b), (d), and (e) shall not apply.
(b) The assigned administrative law judge and any assigned technical advisory staff shall act as an assistant to the assigned commissioner in quasi-legislative cases. The assigned commissioner shall prepare the proposed rule or order with the assistance of the administrative law judge and any assigned technical advisory staff. The assigned commissioner shall present the proposed rule or order to the full commission in a public meeting. The report shall include the number of days of hearing and the number of days that the commissioner was present.
(c) Ex parte communications in quasi-legislative proceedings are permitted and not subject to the disclosure requirements of this article, except when the commission, by order or ruling, determines either of the following:
(1) That ex parte communications are subject to the disclosure requirements of this article.
(2) That ex parte communications are prohibited and subject to the disclosure requirements of this article.
(d) Any party has the right to present a final oral argument of its case before the commission. Those requests shall be scheduled in a timely manner. A quorum of the commission shall be present for the final oral arguments.
(e) The commission may, in issuing its rule or order, adopt, modify, or set aside the proposed decision or any part of the rule or order. The final rule or order of the commission shall be issued not later than 60 days after the issuance of the proposed rule or order. Under extraordinary circumstances the commission may extend this date for a reasonable period. The 60-day period shall be extended for 30 days if any alternate rule or order is proposed pursuant to Section 311.
(f) No informality in the manner of taking testimony or evidence shall invalidate any order, decision, or rule made, approved, or confirmed by the commission in quasi-legislative cases.
(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 519, Sec. 4. (SB 1358) Effective January 1, 2019.)