(a) The board may in its discretion hold a hearing for the purpose of determining any question presented to it involving any right, benefit, or obligation of a person under this part.
(b) When a hearing is held, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to administrative adjudication, and the board shall have all of the powers granted in that chapter. However, the provisions of Section 11508 of the Government Code relating to the location of the hearing shall not apply, and the hearing shall be held at the time and place determined by the board.