Chapter 14. Hearing Officer of California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 14.

The board of supervisors of any county may establish the office of county hearing officer. The duties of the office are to conduct hearings for the county or any board, agency, commission, or committee of the county.

When a state law or local ordinance provides that a hearing be held or that findings of fact or conclusions of law be made by any county board, agency, commission, or committee, the county hearing officer may be authorized by ordinance or resolution to conduct the hearing; to issue subpoenas; to receive evidence; to administer oaths; to rule on questions of law and the admissibility of evidence; and to prepare a record of the proceedings.

(a) If the hearing officer is authorized to decide a matter upon which a hearing has been held pursuant to Section 27721, the officer shall render a written decision, including any findings or conclusions required for that decision, and submit the decision and the record to the clerk of the local body on whose behalf the hearing was held.
  (b) If the hearing officer is not authorized to decide a matter upon which a hearing has been held pursuant to Section 27221, the officer shall prepare a recommended decision, including any findings or conclusions required for that decision, and shall submit that recommendation and the record to the clerk of the local body on whose behalf the hearing was held. The local body may adopt the recommended findings, conclusions, and decision, or may reject the recommendation and enter its own findings, conclusions, and decision after a review of the record.

The local body may, but need not be present during the proceeding.

Any county hearing officer, or any deputy or assistant hearing officer, appointed pursuant to this chapter, shall be an attorney at law having been admitted to practice before the courts of this state for at least five years prior to his or her appointment.

Any other local public entity may contract with the county to employ the services of the county hearing officer. The duties and responsibilities of the hearing officer described in Sections 27721 and 27722 shall be set forth in the contract. Reimbursement to the county for the services of a county hearing officer shall be made as provided in the contract. If no provision for reimbursement is contained in the contract, reimbursement shall be made on a pro rata basis of actual cost to the county in providing the service including salaries, benefits, overhead, and any travel expense.

Such contracting entity is authorized to conduct its hearings in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Any county or other local public entity may contract with the Office of Administrative Hearings of the State of California, and the office is hereby authorized to contract for services for an administrative law judge or a hearing officer to conduct proceedings pursuant to this chapter.

The provisions of this chapter provide an alternative to, and do not supersede, any other provision of law providing for any matter to be heard or determined by a hearing officer.