§ 398-g. Powers of the commissioner. 1. In addition to the powers and
duties specified elsewhere in this article, the commissioner, upon any
complaint or upon his own initiative, shall have the power to make and
conduct such investigations as he deems proper to effectuate the
purposes of this article. The commissioner may establish, by rule or
regulation, criteria upon which the necessity for investigation of
complaints shall be determined. Such criteria may include but not be
limited to the alleged financial loss to the complainant, the indication
of a recurring incidence of fraud or deceptive practices, or the
essential nature of the service provided to the safe operation of the
vehicle. The commissioner shall also have the power to assist in the
settlement of disputes between complainants and registrants. In any such
case in which a settlement is reached, a report of the facts, shall be
included in the registrant's record. The provisions of section three
hundred ninety-eight-f relating to the required attendance of
registrants and the power to subpoena shall apply to any investigation
conducted pursuant to this section.

2. The commissioner shall prescribe such rules and regulations as he
shall deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article
including but not limited to, standards for personnel, equipment and
facilities.