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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 2Ch. 1Art. 5.5§ 12058 Governor Succession Order

§ 12058 Governor Succession Order

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12058 Governor Succession Order

Key Takeaways

  • •If the Governor and Lieutenant Governor can't do their jobs, the President pro Tempore of the Senate becomes Governor.
  • •If the President pro Tempore of the Senate isn't available, the Speaker of the Assembly becomes Governor.
  • •If none of these leaders are available, other top state officials take turns being Governor, like the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and so on.
  • •If the Governor is temporarily unable to work (like being sick or out of state), the same backup leaders take over until the Governor can return.

Example

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are in a plane crash and can't work.

The President pro Tempore of the Senate would become the new Governor until the next election.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12058 Governor Succession Order

In case of vacancy in the office of Governor and in the office of Lieutenant Governor, the last duly elected President pro Tempore of the Senate shall become Governor for the residue of the term; or if there be no President pro Tempore of the Senate, then the last duly elected Speaker of the Assembly shall become Governor for the residue of the term; or if there be none, then the Secretary of State; or if there be none, then the Attorney General; or if there be none, then the Treasurer; or if there be none, then the Controller; or if there be none, then the Superintendent of Public Instruction; or if there be none, then the Insurance Commissioner; or if there be none, then the Chair of the Board of Equalization; or if, as the result of a war or enemy-caused disaster, there be none, then such person designated as provided by law. In case of impeachment of the Governor or officer acting as Governor, the Governor’s absence from the state, or other temporary disability to discharge the powers and duties of office, then the powers and duties of the office of Governor devolve upon the same officer as in the case of vacancy in the office of Governor, but only until the disability shall cease. (Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 18. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

vacancyGovernorLieutenant GovernorPresident pro Tempore of the SenateSpeaker of the Assemblyimpeachmenttemporary disability

Related Statutes

  • § 10202 Legislative Counsel Vacancy Selection
  • § 10246 Legislative Counsel Court Appearance
  • § 10271 Commission Membership Composition
  • § 12070 Governorship Commission Membership
  • § 12072 Governor Disability Commission Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 12058.
View Official Source