The California Rice Commission was organized under the provisions of the California Food and Agriculture Code Section 71071. The commission operates under the overview of the California Secretary of Agriculture.

By statute, the commission represents the entire California rice industry, including all 2,500 rice growers and handlers who farm and process rice produced on approximately 500,000 acres annually. The commission deals with the broad fields of development, maintenance and expansion of markets, marketing research, education, advertising and promotion, as well as production and processing research necessary to promote, maintain and enhance the rice industry.

The commission is organized into seven committees: Executive, Budget & Finance, California Rice Producers' Group, Domestic Marketing & Promotion, Industry Affairs, International Marketing & Promotion and Research & Technology. The commission also oversees the Rice Certification Committee. The board of directors and committees meet four times each year.