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 has the powers conferred upon heads of departments of the state by Article 2 (commencing with Section 11180), Chapter 2, Part 1, Division 3, Title 2 of the Government Code.
Any hearing or investigation by the commission may be conducted by any member or nominee upon authorization of the commission, and he shall have the powers granted to the commission by this section, but any final action of the commission shall be taken by a majority of the members of the commission at a meeting duly called and held.