§ 499-e. Panels; referees. 1. The commission may delegate any of its functions, powers and duties to a panel of three of its members, one of whom shall be a member of the bar, except that no panel shall confer immunity in accordance with section 50.20 of the criminal procedure law. No panel shall be authorized to take any action pursuant to subdivisions four through nine of section four hundred ninety-nine-f of this article or subdivision two of this section.

2. The commission may designate a member of the bar who is not a prosecutor or a member of the commission or its staff as a referee to hear and report to the commission in accordance with the provisions of section four hundred ninety-nine-f of this article. Such referee shall be empowered to conduct hearings, administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath or affirmation and require the production of any books, records, documents or other evidence that the referee may deem relevant or material to the subject of the hearing.