BILL NUMBER: AB 337	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 19, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Allen

                        FEBRUARY 13, 2013

   An act  to amend Section 13996.55 of the Government Code,
  relating to  ports   economic development
 .



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 337, as amended, Allen.  Ports: economic importance of
ports.   Economic development: international trade and
investment strategy.  
   Existing law requires the Director of the Governor's Office of
Business and Economic Development to provide to the Legislature, no
later than February 1, 2014, a strategy for international trade and
investment that includes, among other things, policy goals,
objectives, and recommendations for a comprehensive international
trade and investment program for the state, and an identified
organizational structure for the state administration of
international trade and investment policies, programs, and services,
as specified.  
   This bill would additionally require the strategy to include an
evaluation of the ports of entry to the state and their capacity for
handling international trade, including industrial and postconsumer
secondary material, originating from or destined for other states.
 
   Existing law establishes various port districts along California's
coast, and prescribes procedures for the formation and operation of
those districts.  
   This bill would make various legislative findings and declarations
relating to the economic importance of port systems in the state.

   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION   1.    Section 13996.55 of 
 the   Government Code   is amended to read:

   13996.55.  (a) The Director of the Governor's Office of Business
and Economic Development shall provide to the Legislature, not later
than February 1, 2014, a strategy for international trade and
investment that, at a minimum, includes all of the following:
   (1) Policy goals, objectives, and recommendations necessary to
implement a comprehensive international trade and investment program
for the State of California. This information shall be provided in a
fashion that clearly indicates priority within the overall strategy.
   (2) Measurable outcomes and timelines for the goals, objectives,
and actions for the international trade and investment program.
   (3) Identification of impediments for achieving goals and
objectives.
   (4) Identification of key stakeholder partnerships that will be
used in implementing the strategy.
   (5) Identification of options for funding recommended actions.
   (6) Identification of an international trade and investment
organizational structure for the state administration of
international trade and investment policies, programs, and services.

   (7) Evaluation of the ports of entry to the state and their
capacity for handling international trade, including industrial and
postconsumer secondary material, originated in or destined for other
states. 
   (b) The strategy shall be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the
Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate. A copy of the strategy
shall be provided to the Speaker of the Assembly, the President pro
Tempore of the Senate, and the chairs of the Assembly Committee on
Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy and the Senate Committee
on Business, Professions and Economic Development, or the successor
committees with jurisdiction over international trade and economic
development programs.
   (c) The strategy shall be updated pursuant to the procedures of
this section at least once every five years. 
  SECTION 1.    The Legislature finds and declares
all of the following:
   (a) California's network of ports, especially the Los Angeles and
Long Beach port systems, are vital to the continued economic vibrancy
of our state.
   (b) Port systems are increasingly important to California,
especially because the modernization and expansion of the Panama
Canal will result in increased shipping capacity and vessel travel to
California's ports.
   (c) The Legislature needs to address issues related to the
increased efficiency and capacity at ports, and the ability of
California's ports to ensure that we have adequate infrastructure to
provide for the movement of goods in and out of our state.
   (d) The maintenance of an efficient port system in California will
facilitate job creation, economic growth, and competitiveness in the
world marketplace, with a particular emphasis on Pacific Rim trade
and commerce.