(a) After a petition has been filed under Section 93005(a) or (b), if no agreement for a consent election is entered into and if it appears to SMCS that there is reasonable cause to believe that a question of representation exists, that the policies of the act will be effectuated, and that an election will reflect the free choice of the employees in the appropriate unit, the Director shall serve upon the petitioner, the district, any known individuals or labor organizations purporting to act as the representative of any employees directly affected by such investigation and any other parties a notice of hearing before a hearing officer at a time and place fixed therein, which notice shall be given at least 10 days in advance of the date specified for the hearing. Any such notice of hearing may be amended or withdrawn by the Director at any time prior to the commencement of the hearing and by the hearing officer after commencement and prior to the close of the hearing. When more than one petition has been filed involving all or part of the same group of employees, or otherwise raising common issues, SMCS may, on the motion of any of the parties, or on its own motion, order that said petitions be consolidated for the purpose of hearing and decision.

(b) After a petition has been filed under Section 93005(c), the Director shall conduct an investigation and, as appropriate, may issue a decision without a hearing; or prepare and serve on the petitioner, the district, any known individuals or labor organizations purporting to act as representatives of any employees directly affected by such an investigation and any other parties, a notice of hearing before a hearing officer at a time and place fixed or take other appropriate action. Any such notice of hearing may be amended or withdrawn by the Director at any time prior to the commencement of the hearing and by the hearing officer after commencement and prior to the close of the hearing.

(c) If after investigation of the petition it appears to the Director that there is no reasonable cause to believe that there exists a question whether a labor organization represents a majority of employees of the district in an appropriate unit, or if the Director determines that the petition has not been filed in accordance with these regulations, the Director shall have the power to dismiss the petition without a hearing or approve the withdrawal of the petition.

(d) Any determination made by the Director pursuant to this Section may be appealed to the Board itself in accordance with Sections 32350 through 32380 or, if applicable, in accordance with and subject to the limitations provided in Section 32200.