Section 320 - Chief officer of department; authority and responsibility; employment of legal counsel; employment stenographic reporters(a) The chief officer of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation. The Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation is the head of the department with the authority and responsibility over all officers, employees, and activities in the department and, except as otherwise provided in this code and the Corporations Code, is subject to the provisions of the Government Code relating to department heads.(b) The Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation shall employ legal counsel to act as the attorney for the commissioner in actions or proceedings brought by or against the commissioner under or pursuant to any law under the jurisdiction of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, or in which the commissioner joins or intervenes as to a matter within the jurisdiction of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, as a friend of the court or otherwise.(c) The Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation shall employ stenographic reporters to take and transcribe the testimony in any formal hearing or investigation before the commissioner or before a person authorized by the commissioner.(d) Sections 11040 and 11042 of the Government Code do not apply to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.Article heading amended by Stats 2022 ch 452 (SB 1498),s 99, eff. 1/1/2023.Amended by Stats 2020 ch 157 (AB 1864),s 2, eff. 1/1/2021.Amended by Stats 2013 ch 353 (SB 820),s 48, eff. 9/26/2013, op. 7/1/2013.Amended by Stats 2013 ch 352 (AB 1317),s 82, eff. 9/26/2013, op. 7/1/2013.Added by Stats 2011 ch 243 (SB 664),s 2, eff. 1/1/2012.