Governor's Reorganization Process

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The governor is authorized in statute to examine the organization of executive branch agencies and determine what changes may be necessary to promote more efficient and effective government services.  The Legislature has granted the governor the authority to reorganize those functions whenever it is in the public interest.

The reorganization process provides for a streamlined public and legislative review of the proposal.  The reorganization process can be used to consolidate, transfer or abolish programs and agencies.  The process can be used to create new agencies, but the process cannot be used to create new functions.

The reorganization process is permitted in Article V, Section 6 of the California Constitution.  The statutory authority is in Government Code Sections 12080-12081.2.

Current Organization Chart of the Executive Branch

Governor's Reorganization Process

The Little Hoover Commission’s role in the reorganization process is described in Government Code Section 8523.  The law requires the governor to submit any reorganization plan to the Little Hoover Commission “at least 30 days prior” to submitting the plan to the Legislature.  Before submitting the proposal to the Commission, the plan must be submitted to Legislative Counsel for drafting into bill language.

The Commission’s role in the reorganization process is only advisory.  The Commission reviews and submits a report to the governor and the Legislature within 30 days of the plan being submitted to the Legislature.  In other words, the Commission typically has 60 days to review a plan and complete its report.

The Commission conducts one or more public hearings, providing a forum for affected agencies, constituencies and interest groups to comment on the proposal.  In addition to invited witnesses, the Commission hears testimony from other interests or members of the public who would like to testify.  The Commission also welcomes written comments.

The Commission assesses the plan based on its broad mandate to assist policy-makers in “promoting economy, efficiency and improved service in the transaction of the public business.”  The Commission makes a recommendation to the governor and the Legislature as to whether it believes the reorganization plan should go into effect.  The Commission sometimes offers recommendations for how the plan could be strengthened or measures that should be taken if the plan is implemented.

Brief Overview and Frequently Asked Questions
 

The Commission held three hearings on principles of reorganization in November and December 2004.  The hearings explored the framework of the organizational recommendations offered by the California Performance Review and the opportunities and lessons associated with large-scale organizational change.  Click here for agendas, webcasts and written testimony submitted by witnesses from the hearings.

In a report released in December 2004, the Commission identified essential elements that should be considered in the development of formal proposals resulting from the California Performance Review.  Download the report: Historic Opportunities: Transforming California State Government.
 

Since 1968 six governors have proposed various executive reorganization plans.  The most recent ones were submitted in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  They involved eliminating 88 boards and commissions; transforming California's Youth and Adult Correctional Agency into a new Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; consolidating the state's data centers into a new Department of Technology Services; and, establishing a Department of Energy.

Download a list of previous reorganization plans reviewed by the Commission.
 

Governor's Reorganization Process

A reorganization plan may be delivered to the Legislature at any time during a regular session.  The Legislature, however, must have 60 calendar days of a continuous session to consider the plan.  The governor’s plan becomes effective on the 61st day after it has been given to the Legislature unless either the Senate or the Assembly adopts by majority vote a resolution rejecting the plan.  Actual statutory language to enact the reorganization is processed in the following year, but the reorganization is effective even without the statutes being on the books.