California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2332

(a) The Division of Medical Quality or the Health Quality Enforcement Section of the office of the Attorney General may establish panels or lists of experts as necessary to assist them in their respective duties.  When the Division of Medical Quality or the Health Quality Enforcement Section seeks expert assistance or witnesses, and the use of voluntary services is impractical, they may retain experts to assist them, and to prepare and present testimony as appropriate, at prevailing market rates.  The board shall establish policies and procedures for the selection and use of those experts.

(b) The Division of Medical Quality may also adopt regulations to create a system of volunteer physicians and others in committees or panels to assist the board in any of the following functions:

(c) Commencing January 1, 1994, any reference to a medical quality review committee shall be deemed a reference to a panel of the Division of Medical Quality.