Cal. Ins. Code § 12903

The commissioner may employ such actuarial, technical, and administrative assistants and clerks, as he may need to discharge in proper manner the duties imposed upon him by law. He may also employ stenographic reporters to take and transcribe the testimony in any formal hearing or investigation before the commissioner, deputy or person authorized by him.

Such persons so employed shall perform such duties as the commissioner assigns to them, subject to the provisions of the civil service laws. The commissioner may incur such traveling and other expenses as are necessary, convenient, or advisable for the performance of his duties. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to affect or modify positions or seniority of officers or employees existing and held in the office of the commissioner immediately prior to the date this section takes effect, and all such persons then serving in any capacity therein shall continue and remain in such capacity without change of position or seniority, subject to the provisions of the law regulating civil service in the same manner and to the same extent as prior to the date this section takes effect.