Frequently Asked Questions about Governor’s Reorganization Plans

What is the Governor’s reorganization authority? The California Constitution grants the Governor, subject to approval by the Legislature, the authority to “assign and reorganize functions among executive officers and agencies and their employees.”

What is the name of this authority? A reorganization of the executive branch of government is called a “Governor’s Reorganization Plan,” or more commonly known as a “GRP.”

Is a GRP in the form of a bill or resolution? Article V, Section 6 of the California Constitution authorizes a statute to allow the Governor to reorganize functions among state agencies other than the remaining constitutional offices. Hence, a GRP is a bill that is submitted to the Legislature for approval.

What must occur before the GRP is submitted to the Legislature? It must first be considered by the Little Hoover Commission (LHC) at least 30 days prior to the GRP’s submission to the Legislature.

Where is the Little Hoover Commission authority found? The LHC’s role is set forth in California Government Code Section 8523, which was put into statute in 1974 by Chapter 1242.

What must the LHC do with the GRP? It must review the GRP and hold public hearings on the proposed GRP. Thereafter, the Little Hoover Commission offers a recommendation to the Legislature to either allow the GRP to go into effect or to reject the GRP.

What does the Legislature need to do after the LHC’s recommendation? Each house of the Legislature has 60 calendar days to act on the GRP. The GRP takes effect on the 61st day after submission to the Legislature, unless a resolution rejecting the GRP is adopted by both the Senate and Assembly by a majority vote of each house.

Is the GRP treated like a bill in the Legislature? Yes, prior to transmittal of a GRP to the LHC, the Governor must submit each GRP to the Office of Legislative Counsel in order that it may be submitted to the Legislature in the form and language suitable for enactment as a statute. The Legislative Counsel also prepares a digest of the GRP.

When does the GRP have to be submitted to the Legislature? While a GRP may be delivered to the Legislature at any time during a regular session, it must be provided to the Legislature with at least 60 calendar days of continuous session remaining to consider the plan.

When was the last GRP enacted? The last GRP was done in 2012 under Governor Brown to restructure various agencies and departments under this authority and control.