(a) Whenever the right of a structural pest control licensee or registered company to make pesticide applications is to be suspended or the licensee, registered company, or unlicensed individual is to be fined pursuant to Section 8617, and if the person upon whom the commissioner imposed a fine or suspension requested and appeared at a hearing before the commissioner in accordance with Section 8617, the party to be suspended or fined may appeal to the Disciplinary Review Committee by filing a written appeal with the committee within 30 days of receipt of the fine or suspension order.

(b) The following procedures shall apply to the appeal:

(1) The appeal shall be in writing and signed by the appellant or his or her or its authorized agent, state the grounds for the appeal, and include a copy of the commissioner’s decision. The appellant shall file a copy of the appeal with the commissioner at the same time it is filed with the committee.

(2) Any party may, at the time of filing the appeal or within 10 days thereafter, or at a later time prescribed by the committee or its designee, present the record of the hearing, including written evidence that was submitted at the hearing and written argument to the committee stating the grounds for affirming, modifying, or reversing the commissioner’s decision.

(3) The committee or its designee may grant oral argument upon application made at the time written arguments are filed. If an application to present an oral argument is granted, written notice of the time and place for the oral argument shall be given each party at least 10 days before the date set therefor. The times may be altered by mutual agreement of the appellant, the commissioner, and the committee.

(4) At any time written evidence is submitted to the committee, a copy shall be immediately provided to the other party.

(5) The committee shall decide the appeal on the record of the hearing, including the written evidence and the written argument described in paragraph (2) that the committee may have received. If the committee finds substantial evidence in the record to support the commissioner’s decision, the committee shall affirm the decision.

(6) The committee shall render its written decision within 45 days of the date of appeal or within 15 days from the date of oral arguments, or as soon thereafter as practical.

(7) On an appeal pursuant to this section, the committee may sustain, modify by reducing the time of suspension or the amount of the fine levied, or reverse the decision. A copy of the committee’s decision shall be delivered or mailed to each party.

(8) Review of the decision of the committee may be sought by the licensee, registered company, or unlicensed individual pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 443, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2005.)