(a) Any person aggrieved by a final decision or order of the commission that limits, conditions, suspends, or revokes any previously granted license or approval, made after hearing by the commission, may petition the Superior Court for the County of Sacramento for judicial review pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure and Section 11523 of the Government Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the standard set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (h) of Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply for obtaining a stay of the operation of a final decision or order of the commission. In every case where it is claimed that the findings are not supported by the evidence, abuse of discretion is established if the court determines that the findings are not supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record.
(b) The court may summarily deny the petition, or the court may issue an alternative writ directing the commission to certify the whole record in the case to the court within a time specified. No new or additional evidence shall be introduced in the court, but, if an alternative writ issues, the cause shall be heard on the whole record as certified by the commission.
(c) In determining the cause following issuance of an alternative writ, the court shall enter judgment affirming, modifying, or reversing the order of the commission, or the court may remand the case for further proceedings before, or reconsideration by, the commission.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in Section 19870 and subdivision (e) in Section 19912, this section provides the exclusive means to review adjudicatory decisions of the commission.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 233, Sec. 19. (AB 293) Effective January 1, 2010.)