It is true that a commissioner is a full-time employee versus a judge pro tem being a temporary judge (part-time employee), more or less meaning the rank order to be judge, commissioner, then judge pro tem; however, the rules governing a commissioners authority refer to a commissioner as a temporary judge.

Section 259(d) of the CCP:

"(d)Act as temporary judge when otherwise qualified so to act and when appointed for that purpose, on stipulation of the parties litigant. While acting as temporary judge the commissioner shall receive no compensation therefor other than compensation as commissioner."

As I've stated, I understand I can reject to stipulate in the moment and the case will get referred to an available judge, but as I stated, it would be nice to know who (what specific judge) the case gets assigned to ahead of time, in case I don't want that judge to hear my case, thus invoking CCP 170.6. It is my belief that's how it is supposed to work, I shouldn't have to use CCP 170.6 as a blanket motion to absolve myself from having my case heard by a commissioner or judge pro tem.

The fact that the judgment is not temporary is specifically addressed in the stipend to negate appeals based on authority, that was never in question.