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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 1Ch. 7Art. 5§ 8588 Emergency Proclamation By Director

§ 8588 Emergency Proclamation By Director

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

§ 8588 Emergency Proclamation By Director

Key Takeaways

  • •If there's a big emergency (like a huge fire or flood) and the Governor can't be reached, the director can declare an emergency for the state.
  • •The director's emergency call must be approved by the Governor as soon as they're available.
  • •If the Governor doesn't approve, they must cancel the emergency right away.

Example

A massive earthquake hits a part of the state, and the Governor is traveling abroad and can't be reached.

The director can step in and declare a state of emergency to get help and resources to the area. Once the Governor is back and available, they must either agree with the director's call or cancel the emergency.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8588 Emergency Proclamation By Director

Whenever conditions exist within any region or regions of the state that warrant the proclamation by the Governor of a state of emergency and the Governor has not acted under the provisions of Section 8625, by reason of the fact that the Governor has been inaccessible, the director may proclaim the existence of a state of emergency in the name of the Governor as to any region or regions of the state. Whenever the director has so proclaimed a state of emergency, that action shall be ratified by the Governor as soon as the Governor becomes accessible, and in the event the Governor does not ratify the action, the Governor shall immediately terminate the state of emergency as proclaimed by the director. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 352, Sec. 127. (AB 1317) Effective September 26, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 543 of Ch. 352.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

claimdirectorgovernoremergencyeffective septemberoperative julyproclamationexistence

Related Statutes

  • § 8599 Emergency Volunteer Resource Plan
  • § 8585.1 Director Appointment And Duties
  • § 8586 Governor'S Emergency Powers Delegation
  • § 8588.3 Emergency Training Institute Transfer
  • § 8588.5 Disaster Search Dog Training

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 8588.
View Official Source