All actions and proceedings under this part and all actions or proceedings to which the commission or the people of the State of California are parties in which any question arises under this part, or under or concerning any order or decision of the commission, shall be preferred over, and shall be heard and determined in preference to, all other civil business except election causes, irrespective of position on the calendar. The same preference shall be granted upon application of the attorney of the commission in any action or proceeding in which he is allowed to intervene.