Some Key Reminders with a ‘Governor’s Reorganization Plans’

Because GRP 1 was introduced on May 5, I wanted to review the key points of what happens to a Governor’s Reorganization Plans (GRP) in the Legislature.

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.”

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 in the form of 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. The LHC has already considered the subject matter of GRP 1.

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.

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. GRP 1 was the Governor’s Reorganization Plan on state human resources functions.