Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 18661

The executive officer or his or her designee shall review and investigate all applications filed with the commission. The executive officer or designee shall file a written recommendation over his or her signature with regard to the granting or denial of the license. The executive officer or his or her designee shall also, when directed by the commission, investigate appeals from the denial by the commission of any license. The findings from such investigation shall be reported to the commission.