SECTIONS 21692-21694 - California Statutes

PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE

SECTION 21692-21694

21692. The department, any member, the director, or any officer or
employee of the department designated by it may hold investigations,
inquiries, and hearings concerning matters covered by this part and
the rules and orders of the department, and concerning accidents in
aeronautics within this state. Hearings shall be open to the public
and, except as provided in Section 21691, shall be held upon such
call or notice as the department deems advisable. Each member of the
department, the director, and every officer or employee of the
department designated by it to hold any inquiry, investigation, or
hearing may administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all
official acts, issue subpoenas, and order the attendance and
testimony of witnesses and the production of papers, books, and
documents. If any person fails to comply with any subpoenas or order
issued under the authority of this section, the department or its
authorized representative may invoke the aid of any court of general
jurisdiction. The court may order such person to comply with the
requirements of the subpoena or order to give evidence touching the
matter in question. Failure to obey the order of the court may be
punished by the court as contempt.

21693. In order to facilitate the making of investigations by the
department in the interest of public safety and promotion of
aeronautics, the reports of investigations or hearings or any part of
the reports, shall not be admitted in evidence or used for any
purpose in any suit, action, or proceeding growing out of any matter
referred to in the investigation, hearing, or report, except in case
of any suit, action, or proceeding, civil or criminal, instituted by
or in behalf of the department or in the name of the state under the
provisions of this part or other laws of the state relating to
aeronautics. Any member of the department, the director, or any
officer or employee of the department shall not be required to
testify to any facts ascertained in, or information gained by reason
of, his official capacity, nor be required to testify as an expert
witness in any suit, action, or proceeding involving any aircraft.
Subject to these limitations, the department may make available to
appropriate federal, state, and political subdivision agencies
information and material developed in the course of its
investigations and hearings.

21694. Every order of the department requiring performance of
certain acts or compliance with certain requirements shall set forth
the reasons, state the acts to be done or requirements to be met, and
be served upon the person affected either by registered mail or in
person. Any person aggrieved by an order of the department may have
the action of the department reviewed by the courts in the manner
provided by law.