Section 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.