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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 5§ 9516 Governor'S Bill Certification Process

§ 9516 Governor'S Bill Certification Process

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

§ 9516 Governor'S Bill Certification Process

Key Takeaways

  • •If the Governor doesn't send a bill back in 12 days while the Legislature is working, it becomes a law automatically.
  • •The Secretary of State writes a note saying the bill is now a law and keeps it with other laws.
  • •If a bill is given to the Governor after September 1 and not sent back by September 30, it also becomes a law.
  • •The Secretary of State gives each new law a number to keep track of it.

Example

Imagine your school makes a new rule that says everyone can wear hats in class. The principal (like the Governor) has 12 days to say no. If the principal doesn’t say anything in 12 days, the rule becomes official.

The school secretary (like the Secretary of State) writes down that the rule is now official because the principal didn’t stop it. They also give the rule a number so everyone knows it’s a real rule now.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9516 Governor'S Bill Certification Process

Except as otherwise provided in this section, every bill which has passed both houses of the Legislature, and has not been returned by the Governor within 12 days, thereby becoming a law, is authenticated by the Governor causing the fact to be certified thereon by the Secretary of State in the following form: “This bill having remained with the Governor 12 days, and the Legislature being in session, it has become a law this ____ day of ____, ____.” The certificate shall be signed by the Secretary of State and deposited with the laws in his office. Upon the receipt of such a bill and certificate, the Secretary of State shall assign a chapter number to the bill in the manner provided in Section 9510. Every bill which has been passed by the Legislature before September 1 of the second calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session, which was in the possession of the Governor on or after September 1, and which has not been returned by the Governor on or before September 30 of that year, thereby becoming a law, is authenticated by the Governor causing the fact to be certified thereon by the Secretary of State in the following form: “This bill having been passed by the Legislature before September 1 of the second calendar year of the biennium of the legislative session, having been in the possession of the Governor on or after September 1 of such year, and having remained with the Governor through September 30 of such year, it has become a law this ____ day of ____.” The certificate shall be signed by the Secretary of State and deposited with the laws in his office. Upon the receipt of such a bill and certificate, the Secretary of State shall assign a chapter number to the bill in the manner provided in Section 9510. (Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 23.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

governorpossessionlegislaturesecretary

Related Statutes

  • § 9508 Bill Transmission To Governor
  • § 12894 Climate Program Oversight Review
  • § 6546.4 Local Agency Ordinance Election
  • § 66651 Bay Plan Resource Policies
  • § 66661 Annual Legislative Supplemental Report

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 9516.
View Official Source