Cal. Food and Agricultural Code § 79835

(a) Except for the ex officio members of the commission board of directors, each member of the commission board of directors shall have an alternate member elected in the same manner as the member. An alternate member, in the absence of the member for whom he or she is an alternate, shall serve in place of the member. An alternate member may also serve in place of any other absent member of the same classification, producer or handler, if the member’s alternate is also absent. However, an alternate member may not serve in place of more than one absent member at a meeting. An alternate member serving in place of a member shall have and be able to exercise all rights, privileges, and powers of the member when serving. In the event of death, removal, resignation, or the disqualification of a member, the alternate for the member, or another alternate of the same classification if the alternate member for the member is absent, shall act as the member until a qualified successor is elected. (b) The chair of the advisory committee shall designate a member of the advisory committee to serve as an alternate in place of the chair in the chair’s absence. An alternate advisory committee member serving in the place of the chair shall have and be able to exercise all rights, privileges, and powers of the chair when serving.