Cal. Gov. Code § 13012

Whenever any statute, heretofore or hereafter enacted, requires by the use of the word or words “approve,” “approval,” “authorize,” or “authorization,” the director or the department to approve or authorize any act or transaction, such approval or authorization shall hereafter be deemed to have been given only if given in writing by the director, his deputy, or by some other officer or employee of the Department of Finance acting pursuant to written authority of the director.