Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the definitions set forth in this section shall govern the interpretation of this article.

(a) “State administrative agency” means every state office, department, division, bureau, board and commission, but does not include the Legislature, the courts or any agency in the judicial branch of government.

(b) “State administrative official” means every member, officer, employee or consultant of a state administrative agency who as part of his or her official responsibilities engages in any judicial, quasi-judicial or other proceeding in other than a purely clerical, secretarial or ministerial capacity.

(c) “Judicial, quasi-judicial or other proceeding” means any proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim, controversy, investigation, charge, accusation, arrest or other particular matter involving a specific party or parties in any court or state administrative agency, including but not limited to any proceeding governed by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(d) “Participated” means to have taken part personally and substantially through decision, approval, disapproval, formal written recommendation, rendering advice on a substantial basis, investigation or use of confidential information as an officer or employee, but excluding approval, disapproval or rendering of legal advisory opinions to departmental or agency staff which do not involve a specific party or parties.

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 66.)