California Code, Government Code - GOV § 18003

The Controller may, prior to the close of any pay roll period, draw his warrant in favor of any officer or employee covering the total salary or compensation earnable by him during that pay roll period, and may deliver the same to an authorized officer of the state agency within which the payee is employed, whether or not such salary or compensation is already earned in full.  Upon delivery of any warrant to an authorized officer of a state agency as provided herein, the Controller and his bondsmen shall be under no further obligation for the proper disbursement of the amount of the warrant or the money represented by it.  The Controller, pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Division 3 of Title 2, shall adopt rules and regulations for the delivery of payroll warrants to employees.