Cal. Health & Safety Code § 129172

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if, prior to foreclosing on any collateral provided by a borrower, the department institutes a judicial proceeding or takes any action against a borrower to enforce compliance with the obligations set out in the regulatory agreement, the contract of insurance, or any other contractual loan closing document or law, including, but not limited to, Section 129173, that remedy or action shall not constitute an action within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 726 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or in any way constitute a violation of the intent or purposes of Section 726 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or constitute a money judgment or a deficiency judgment within the meaning of Sections 580a, 580b, 580d, or subdivision (b) of Section 726 of the Code of Civil Procedure. However, these provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure shall apply to any judicial proceeding instituted, or nonjudicial foreclosure action taken by the department to collect the principal and interest due on the loan with the borrower.