Amended in Assembly March 19, 2013

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 412

Introduced by Assembly Member Allen

February 15, 2013

An act begin insert to add Section 12096.4.5 to the Government Code, end insert relating to economic development.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 412, as amended, Allen. International trade.

begin insert

The Economic Revitalization Act establishes the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as “GO-Biz,” to, among other duties, serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth.

end insert begin insert

This bill would require the director of GO-Biz, on or before October 1, 2015, to submit a study on the potential roles of the state in global markets to the Legislature, as specified. This bill would require the study to include, among other information, recommendations for priorities of state activities and funding related to international trade and investment, and an analysis of recommendations made in a similar study published in 2007.

end insert begin delete

Existing law establishes various programs to promote international trade for California businesses.

end delete begin delete

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to enhance and expand opportunities for California businesses to engage in international trade, and make legislative findings and declarations in this regard.

end delete

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  begin delete no end delete begin insert yes end insert . State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

begin insert

begin insert SECTION end insert begin insert 1. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 12096.4.5 is added to the end insert begin insert Government
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 12096.4.5. end insert   

(a) On or before October 1, 2015, the director shall
complete a study on the potential roles of the state in global
markets.

(b) The study shall include, but not be limited to, all of the
following:

(1) A discussion of California’s economy and its relationship
to global markets, including, but not limited to, identification of
current and emerging trends, industries, services, and areas of
comparative advantage.

(2) An inventory and gap analysis of existing programs and
services provided by local, state, federal, and private entities, that
serve, or could serve, businesses in opening new foreign markets
for their products, attracting foreign investment to their businesses,
or generally assisting California businesses in global markets.

(3) An assessment and gap analysis of the current and future
physical and human infrastructure related to foreign trade and
investment markets, and the appropriate role for state government
to improve the infrastructure needs.

(4) The results of a survey of businesses on their needs and
priorities related to foreign trade and investment. The study may
rely on current surveys prepared by trade organizations or
academic centers dedicated to economic development, or other
surveys, as appropriate.

(5) An examination of how best to coordinate and leverage
existing local, state, and federal organizations, programs, and
services related to international trade and investment.

(6) An assessment of unique opportunities and challenges in
developing businesses and attracting investment along the border
and in historically underserved urban and rural areas.

(c) (1) The study shall include recommendations on policies,
programs, and funding needs for the next three years, seven years,
and over the long term.

(2) Recommendations may include infrastructure improvements,
workforce training needs, incentives for business or investors, and
need for international trade and investment offices in relation to
the international trade and investment needs of the state.

(3) To the extent international trade and investment offices are
found to be appropriate, the study may make general
recommendations on the administration, oversight, and mission
or missions of those kinds of offices.

(4) The study shall recommend priorities for state activities and
funding related to international trade and investment. The priorities
shall be based on the assessment of current and emerging market
trends, the inventory and gap analysis of programs and services,
the assessment of current and future infrastructure and workforce
needs, and input by the business community.

(5) The study shall recommend an organizational structure for
the state administration of international trade and investment
policies, programs, and services.

(6) The study shall include a review of a report entitled,
“Toward a California Trade and Investment Strategy, Potential
Roles for the State in Global Market Development” published by
the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency on October 1,
2007, pursuant to the California International Trade and
Investment Act of 2006 (Chapter 663 of the Statutes of 2006), and
analyze whether the recommendations in that report proposed
successful policies, programs, funding, priorities, and structure
for state government to promote California businesses in global
markets.

(d) During the course of the study, the director shall consult
with other agencies, boards, and commissions that have statutory
responsibilities related to workforce development, infrastructure,
business, and international trade and investment, including, but
not limited to, the California Transportation Commission, the
California Community Colleges, the University of California, the
California State University, the Workforce Investment Board, the
Employment Training Panel, and the California Energy
Commission.

(e) On or before October 1, 2015, the director shall submit the
study to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795. The
director shall also deliver a copy of the study to 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.

end insert

begin delete

SECTION 1.  

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that when
California businesses engage in international trade with the
countries located in the Pacific Rim and around the world, the
state’s economy prospers through job creation and growth.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to
enhance and expand opportunities for California businesses to
engage in international trade.

end delete