(a) The agency shall consult the office, and subject to the availability of its staff, shall determine the time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be held at a hearing facility maintained by the office in Sacramento, Oakland, Los Angeles, or San Diego and shall be held at the facility that is closest to the location where the transaction occurred or the respondent resides.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the hearing may be held at any of the following places:
(1) A place selected by the agency that is closer to the location where the transaction occurred or the respondent resides.
(2) A place within the state selected by agreement of the parties.
(3) Virtually by telephone, videoconference, or other electronic means.
(c) The respondent may move for, and the administrative law judge has discretion to grant or deny, a change in the place of the hearing. A motion for a change in the place of the hearing shall be made within 10 days after service of the notice of hearing on the respondent.
(d) Unless good cause is identified in writing by the administrative law judge, hearings shall be held in a facility maintained by the office.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 401, Sec. 15. (AB 1578) Effective January 1, 2022.)