"Protest proceedings" means proceedings taken by a commission, or its executive officer when authorized by the commission, as the conducting authority pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 57000), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 57025), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 57050), or Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 57075) of Part 4 of this division.
Ca. Gov. Code § 56069.5