California Code, Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1273

(a) At the conclusion of the public hearing on the petition and until the issuance of the tentative order and tariff, the administrative law judge may submit bench interrogatories and discovery requests to a party or parties. All parties have the right to respond to posthearing bench interrogatories and discovery requests, regardless of to which party the interrogatories or discovery requests are directed.

(b) The administrative law judge may set consultations or develop bench interrogatories or discovery requests for the executive director. All parties may attend all posthearing bench consultations and respond independently and, in addition, all parties have the right to respond to posthearing bench interrogatories and discovery requests that are directed to the executive director.