The board may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, and compensate persons subpoenaed. This power shall be exercised and enforced in the same manner as the similar power granted the board of supervisors in Article 9 (commencing with Section 25170) of Chapter 1, Part 2, Division 2; except that the power shall extend only to matters within the retirement board’s jurisdiction, and committees of the board shall not have this power. Reasonable fees and expenses may be provided for by board regulation for any or all of such witnesses regardless of which party subpoenaed them.

Subpoenas shall be signed by the

chairman or secretary of the retirement board, except that the board may by regulation provide for express written delegation of its subpoena power to any referee it appoints pursuant to this chapter or to any administrator appointed pursuant to Section 31522.2.

Any member of the board, the referee, or any person otherwise empowered to issue subpoenas may administer oaths to, or take depositions from, witnesses before the board or referee.