2009 California Government Code - Section 8541-8542 :: Article 3. Powers

8541.  In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the
commission shall have all of the following powers:
   (a) To meet at any time and place as it may deem proper.
   (b) As a body or, on the authorization of the commission, as a
subcommittee composed of one or more members, to hold hearings at any
time and place as it may deem proper.
   (c) To issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and
the production of books, records, papers, accounts, reports, and
documents.
   (d) To administer oaths.
   (e) To employ, pursuant to laws and regulations governing state
civil service, a secretary and any clerical, legal, and technical
assistants as may appear necessary.
   (f) To contract with any other agencies, public or private, as it
deems necessary, for the rendition and affording of any services,
facilities, studies and reports to the commission as will best assist
it to carry out its duties and responsibilities.
   (g) To cooperate with and to secure the cooperation of county,
city, city and county, and other local law enforcement agencies in
investigating any matter within the scope of its duties and
responsibilities, and to direct the sheriff of any county or any
marshal to serve subpoenas, orders, and other process.
   (h) To certify to the superior court of any county in which
proceedings are held, the facts concerning the disobedience or
resistance, by any person, of any lawful order, or the refusal of any
person to respond to a subpoena, to take the oath or affirmation as
a witness, or to be examined, or the misconduct of any person during
a hearing; and to receive the assistance of the court in enforcing
orders and process, in the manner prescribed by Article 12
(commencing with Section 11455.10) of Chapter 4.5 of Part 1 of
Division 3.
   (i) To cooperate with every department, agency, or instrumentality
in the state government; and to secure directly from every
department, agency, or instrumentality full cooperation, access to
its records, and access to any information, suggestions, estimates,
data, and statistics it may have available.
   (j) To authorize its agents and employees to absent themselves
from the state where necessary for the performance of their duties.
   (k) To do any and all other things necessary or convenient to
enable it fully and adequately to perform its duties and to exercise
the powers expressly granted it, notwithstanding any authority
expressly granted to any officer or employee of the executive branch
of state government.

8542.  With respect to the Bureau of State Audits, the commission
shall do all of the following:
   (a) Review reports completed by the bureau and make
recommendations to the Legislature, the Governor, and the public
concerning the operations of the state, its departments,
subdivisions, agencies, and other public entities.
   (b) Oversee the activities of the bureau to ensure its compliance
with subdivision (d) of Section 8544.5 and Section 8546. The State
Auditor shall report to the commission on its contracting activities,
its affirmative action plan, and its compliance with provisions of
the State Administrative Manual.
   (c) Review the annual audit of the State Audit Fund.