The commission may hold any hearings and conduct any investigations in any part of the state necessary to carry out the powers vested in it, and for such purposes shall have the same power to conduct investigations and hearings as those conferred upon the heads of state departments by Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180) of Chapter 2 of Division 3 of Title 2.

Upon authorization of the commission, any member of the commission or its designated representative may conduct a hearing or investigation of the commission. Any final action of the commission shall only be taken by a majority of all the members of the commission, at a meeting duly called and held.

All hearings held by the commission or by any designated representative of the commission shall be open and public.