Article 1. General of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 1. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 1.

Every officer, the mode of whose appointment is not prescribed by law, shall be appointed by the Governor.

Every office, the term of which is not fixed by law, is held at the pleasure of the appointing power.

Every officer whose term has expired shall continue to discharge the duties of his office until his successor has qualified.

Every person who exercises any function of a public office without taking the oath of office, or without giving the required bond, is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section does not affect the validity of acts done by a person exercising the functions of a public office in fact, where other persons than himself are interested in maintaining the validity of such acts.

(a) The Speaker of the Assembly or the Senate Committee on Rules may appoint a Member of the Legislature or legislative staff to serve as an alternate for a Member of the Legislature appointed to a state board or commission within the Natural Resources Agency in the Member's absence.
  (b) An alternate designated pursuant to this section shall exercise all of the rights, privileges, and powers that are available to the Member with respect to serving on the board or commission within the Natural Resources Agency. The alternate designated pursuant to this section may not vote and shall adhere to the same rules of conduct as a voting member and serve at the pleasure of the Speaker of the Assembly or the Senate Committee on Rules.
  (c) An alternate designated pursuant to this section shall serve on the board or commission within the Natural Resources Agency only during the period for which the Member may serve on the board or commission.