Governor's Reorganization Plan

The Governor has the authority 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 Section 12080 et seq.

Role of the Little Hoover Commission

The Little Hoover Commission’s role in the 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. Its conclusions and recommendations are not binding on the Governor or the Legislature. The Commission reviews the plan and submits a report to the Governor and the Legislature within 30 days of the plan being submitted to the Legislature.

The Commission conducts one or more public hearings, providing a forum for affected agencies, constituencies and interest groups. 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 policymakers in “promoting economy, efficiency and improved service in the transaction of the public business.” The Commission’s report offers a recommendation to the Governor and the Legislature as to whether or not it believes the reorganization plan should go into effect. The Commission sometimes offers recommendations for how the plan could be strengthened, either through administrative actions or subsequent legislation.

Role of the Legislature

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.

A Review of Government Reorganization Plan No. 2
(Report #211, May 2012)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Restructure various agencies and departments.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.

A Review of the Governor’s Reorganization Plan to Unify and Streamline the California State Personnel System
(Report #206, June 2011)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Consolidate certain functions of the Department of Personnel Administration and State Personnel Board under a new department.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative Action: Under implementation, SB 1308.

A Review of the Governor’s Reorganization Plan to Consolidate Information Technology Functions
(Report #196, March 2009)

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Objective: Consolidate state information technology functions under the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan to Create a Department of Energy
(Report #182, June 2005)

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Objective: Establish a Department of Energy through the consolidation of the functions of several departments, commissions and offices that implement state energy programs.
Commission recommendation: Reject.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Reconstructing Government: A Review of the Governor’s Reorganzation Plan to Create a Department of Technology Services
(Report #180, May 2005)

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Objective: Consolidate the state’s two general purpose data centers and its telecommunications unit into a new Department of Technology Services.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Reconstructing Government: A Review of the Governor's Reorganization Plan Reforming California's Youth & Adult Correctional Agency
(Report #179, February 2005)

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Objective: Transform the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (YACA) and its related departments, board and one commission, into a new cabinet level agency, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect, included 6 recommendations to further improve the correctional system.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Governor's Reorganization Plan to Consolidate or Eliminate Boards and Commissions
(2005)

Proposed by: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Objective: Eliminate 88 boards and commissions.
Commission recommendation: Plan not officially submitted to Commission.
Legislative action: Plan was withdrawn by the Governor.

Only A Beginning: The Proposed Labor & Workforce Development Agency
(Report #164, April 2002)

Proposed by: Governor Gray Davis.
Objective: Create a Labor and Workforce Development Agency to include EDD, Department of Industrial Relations, the Workforce Investment Board and Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect, but establish and measure goals.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan for Regulatory Oversight of Managed Health Care in California
(Report #147, June/July 1998)

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson.
Objective: Create a Department of Managed Care, abolish the Department of Corporations and expand the role and rename the Department of Financial Institutions.
Commission recommendation: Reject.
Legislative action: Rejected.

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 3 of State Fire Marshal/Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(Report #134, June 1995)

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson.
Objective: Merge the Office of State Fire Marshal with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 on Energy, Oil and Recycling Programs
(Report #131, March 1995)

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson.
Objective: Reorganize the California Energy Commission and related governmental functions. Specifically, the plan eliminates the Energy Commission, transfers all existing divisions and functions of the Energy Commission and the Department of Conservation, except recycling, to a newly created Department of Energy and Conservation, moves the recycling program to a modified Integrated Waste Management Board and removes oil oversight functions from the State Lands Commission.
Commission recommendation: Implement plan with two modifications. The Commission qualified its approval of the energy reorganization by requesting the Administration to consider adding a public member to the new Energy Facilities Siting Board and requiring the adoption of an explicit state energy policy each two years that will be a guide for all policy decisions.
Legislative action: Rejected.

A Review of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of California Highway Patrol/State Police
(Report #130, March 1995)

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson.
Objective: Merges the State Police with the California Highway Patrol.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect. The Commission believes the reorganization will result in at least two benefits to the State: enhanced security and budgetary savings.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

CAL-EPA: An Umbrella for the Environment
(Report #110, June 1991)

Proposed by: Governor Pete Wilson.
Objective: Create an Environmental Protection Agency and transfer several departments and functions into the new agency.
Commission recommendation: Implement, then modify plan.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Governor's Reorganization Plan on Waste Management
(June 1985)

Proposed by: Governor George Deukmejian.
Objective: Create a cabinet-level Department of Waste Management.
Commission recommendation: Plan not submitted to Commission.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Summary of Review of 1985 Waste Management Reorganization Proposal
(May 1985)

Proposed by: Governor George Deukmejian.
Objective: Create a Department of Waste Management, a State Waste Commission and three Regional Waste boards.
Commission recommendation: Implement the plan subject to seven amendments.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Background and Analysis of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1984
(April 1984)

Proposed by: Governor George Deukmejian.
Objective: Transfer civil service position classification function from the State Personnel Board to the Department of Personnel Administration.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1981
(February 1981)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create a Department of Personnel Administration.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Memo urging the Legislature to allow Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 to go into effect
(May 1980)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Transfer licensing and regulation of mobile home industry from DMV to the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

A Review of February 26, 1980 Amendments to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1979
(April 1980)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create a central agency for personnel administration.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Letter recommending the Legislature allow Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 to go into effect
(January 1980)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency and consolidate correctional programs into the new agency.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1979
(December 1979)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create a central agency for personnel administration.
Commission recommendation: Commission was asked to withold action on the proposal until further discussions could be held with those having concern with the administration of the state's personnel system. On February 26, 1980, amendements of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1979 were submitted to the Commission for its formal review. The Commission's recommendation can be found here.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1979
(June 1979)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Transfer and rename the Fair Employment Practices Commission and transfer, rename and elevate the Division of Fair Employment Practices from the Department of Industrial Relations to the State and Consumer Services Agency.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978
(May 1978)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Abolish the Division of Industrial Safety and the Occupational Health Branch in the Department of Health and consolidate functions in a new Division of Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the Department of Industrial Relations.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977
(April 1977)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Abolish the Office of Narcotics and Drug Abuse and transfer functions to the Health Department's Division of Substance Abuse and create an Advisory Council on Narcotics and Drug Abuse.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1976
(February 1976)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Merge the Office of Alcoholism with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and move the ABC into the Health and Welfare Agency.
Commission recommendation: Concurred with the plan but urged extending effective date.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Governor's Reorganization Plan on Environmental Agencies
(1976)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create a new Environmental Quality Agency and consolidate all air, water quality and solid waste programs into the new agency.
Commission recommendation: Plan not officially submitted to Commission.
Legislative action: Was not submitted to the Legislature.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1975
(May 1975)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Consolidate the Divisions of Labor Law Enforcement and Industrial Welfare into a Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1975
(May 1975)

Proposed by: Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Objective: Create a new Environmental Quality Agency and consolidate all air, water quality and solid waste programs into the new agency.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to take effect.
Legislative action: Was not submitted to the Legislature.

Governor's Reorganization Plan on Natural Resources
(1971)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Rename the Resources Agency to Environment and Resources Agency and create a Department of Environmental Protection within the agency.
Commission recommendation: Proposed during a brief period, from 1970 to 1972, when plans did not have to be submitted to the Little Hoover Commission.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Governor's Reorganization Plan on State Board of Dry Cleaners
(1971)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Abolish the State Board of Dry Cleaners.
Commission recommendation: Proposed during a brief period, from 1970 to 1972, when plans did not have to be submitted to the Little Hoover Commission.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Governor's Reorganization Plan on Water Quality Control Boards
(1971)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Rename water quality control boards.
Commission recommendation: Proposed during a brief period, from 1970 to 1972, when plans did not have to be submitted to the Little Hoover Commission.
Legislative action: Rejected.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970
(February 1970)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Rename the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards to Department of Consumer Affairs.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1970
(February 1970)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Establish a single state Department of Health within the Human Relations Agency to administer Medi-Cal and consolidate functions from numerous health-related departments.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1969
(April 1969)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Change staff titles and organization names in the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1969
(April 1969)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Rename the Department of Harbors & Waterways to Department of Navigation & Ocean Development and rename the Harbors and Watercraft Commission to Navigation and Ocean Development Commission.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter urging the Legislature to allow to go into effect Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1969
(April 1969)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Eliminate 32 boards, commissions, committees and advisory councils, transferring some functions to other departments and reconfigure the membership of several other government entities.
Commission recommendation: Allow plan to go into effect.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.

Letter following a review of Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1968
(February 1968)

Proposed by: Governor Ronald Reagan.
Objective: Establish four agencies in the executive branch: Business & Transportation, Resources, Human Relations, Agriculture and Services.
Commission recommendation: No recommendation.
Legislative action: Plan went into effect.