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(j) (1) The commission may determine that the respondent lacks, or may lack, the ability to pay potential penalties, fines, or restitution that may be ordered by the commission. In the event that a rehearing of an adjudication case is granted, the parties shall have an opportunity for final oral argument. (i) Adjudication cases shall be resolved within 12 months of initiation unless the commission makes findings why that deadline cannot be met and issues an order extending that deadline.
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The vote on the appeal shall be in a public meeting and shall be accompanied with an explanation of the appeal decision. (h) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may meet in a closed hearing to consider the decision that is being appealed. (2) Any oral or written communications concerning procedural matters in adjudication cases between interested persons and decisionmakers, except the assigned administrative law judge, shall be prohibited. (g) (1) Ex parte communications shall be prohibited in adjudication cases. The Legislature finds that the commission performs both prosecutorial and adjudicatory functions in an adjudication case and declares its intent that an officer, employee, or agent of the commission, including its attorneys, may perform only one of those functions in any adjudication case or factually related adjudicatory proceeding. An officer, employee, or agent of the commission that is personally involved in the prosecution or in the supervision of the prosecution of an adjudication case may participate in reaching a settlement of the case, but shall not participate in the decision of the commission to accept or reject the settlement, except as a witness or counsel in an open hearing or a hearing closed pursuant to subdivision (h). (f) Notwithstanding Section 307, an officer, employee, or agent of the commission that is personally involved in the prosecution or in the supervision of the prosecution of an adjudication case before the commission shall not participate in the decision of the case or any factually related adjudicatory proceeding, including participation in or advising the commission as to findings of fact, conclusions of law, or orders. A decision different from that of the assigned commissioner or the administrative law judge shall be accompanied by a written explanation of each of the changes made to the decision. (e) The commission’s decision shall be supported by findings of fact on all issues material to the decision, and the findings of fact shall be based on the record developed by the assigned commissioner or the administrative law judge. The commission may itself initiate a review of the proposed decision on any grounds.
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Any party may appeal the decision to the commission, provided that the appeal is made within 30 days of the issuance of the decision. The decision of the assigned commissioner or the administrative law judge shall become the decision of the commission if no further action is taken within 30 days. The decision shall be filed with the commission and served upon all parties to the action or proceeding without undue delay, not later than 60 days after the matter has been submitted for decision. (d) The assigned commissioner or the administrative law judge shall prepare and file a decision setting forth recommendations, findings, and conclusions. All parties are entitled to unlimited peremptory challenges in any case in which the administrative law judge has within the previous 12 months served in any capacity in an advocacy position at the commission, been employed by a regulated public utility, or has represented a party or has been an interested person in the case. The rule shall provide that all parties are entitled to one peremptory challenge of the assignment of the administrative law judge in all cases. Challenges for cause shall include, but not be limited to, financial interests and prejudice. (c) The commission shall provide by rule for peremptory challenges and challenges for cause of the administrative law judge. The scoping memo shall designate whether the assigned commissioner or the assigned administrative law judge shall preside in the case. (b) If the commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1701.1 has determined that an adjudication case requires a hearing, the assigned commissioner or the assigned administrative law judge shall hear the case in the manner described in the scoping memo. (a) This section shall apply to adjudication cases only.