(a) Subpoenas. In conformance with the applicable rules of civil procedure, presiding panel members, hearing officers, and their designees, on their own motion or at the request of a party, may issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of the judge or witnesses and the production of pertinent books, papers, and documents for the purposes of investigation, depositions, and formal hearings. Subpoenas issued during investigations prior to the institution of formal proceedings shall indicate that they are issued in connection with a confidential investigation.

(b) Enforcement. Upon proper application, the superior court in any county in which the attendance of a witness or production of documents is required shall enforce the attendance and testimony of any witnesses and the production of any documents subpoenaed.

(c) Witness fees. Subpoena fees and costs shall be the same as those provided for in proceedings in the superior court.

(d) Confidentiality. Documents obtained through a commission subpoena are confidential except to the extent they are made part of the record in a formal proceeding and thereby made available to the public as set forth in Rule 9.