Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code § 407

In any case before it, the appeals board may delegate to any one of its members or to a special examiner or administrative law judge the taking or hearing of evidence. The appeals board and its duly authorized representatives in the performance of its duties under this division shall have the powers of a head of a department as set forth in Sections 11180 to 11191, inclusive, of the Government Code.