Speaker of the California State Assembly

Speaker of the California State Assembly
Seal of the California State Assembly
Incumbent
Robert Rivas
since June 30, 2023
StyleMister/Madam Speaker (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
AppointerCalifornia State Assembly
Term lengthTwo years, Assembly term limits apply
Inaugural holderThomas J. White
Formation1849

The speaker of the California State Assembly is the presiding officer and highest-ranking member of the California State Assembly, controlling the flow of legislation and committee assignments. The speaker is nominated by the majority party's caucus and elected by the full Assembly typically at the beginning of each two year session. Meanwhile, other floor leaders, such as the majority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses according to each party's strength in the chamber. The current speaker is Democrat Robert Rivas of the 29th district.

The speaker formerly had far more power, and was able to issue committee assignments to both parties' members, control State Assembly funds, and had broad administrative authority, but many of these powers were transferred to committee chairs after the speakership of Curt Pringle.[1]

The speaker of the Assembly is also third in the order of succession to the governor of California, after the lieutenant governor and the president pro tempore of the California State Senate.[2][3][4]

  1. ^ "Leader in Allen Recall Pleads Guilty to Vote Fraud". LA Times. 1996-03-12. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017.
  2. ^ "Constitution of California: Article V, Section 10". California Legislature. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "Government Code, Article 5.5, Section 12058 — Succession to the Office of Governor". California Legislature. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  4. ^ "Government Code, Article 5.5, Section 12061 — Succession to the Office of Governor in the Event of War or Enemy-Caused Disaster". California Legislature. Retrieved August 22, 2019.