BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hearing Date:June 23, 2014 |Bill No:AB | | |690 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Senator Ted W. Lieu, Chair Bill No: AB 690Author:Campos As Amended:January 23, 2014 Fiscal: No SUBJECT: State government: international relations. SUMMARY: Repeals and recasts provisions related to the Office of California-Mexico Affairs and California-Mexico Border Relations Council. Existing law: 1) Authorizes public (the State and municipalities) corporations and private corporations to apply to operate and operate a foreign-trade zone in accordance with the terms of the act of Congress (which provided for the establishment, operation and maintenance of foreign-trade zones in ports of entry in the U.S. to expedite and encourage foreign commerce). (Government Code (GC) §§ 6301-6304) 2) Establishes the California Foreign Investment Program, under which the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the lead state entity for overseeing the state's participating with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' EB-5 Investment Program; a visa category available to immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. in order to invest in a business or company that will benefit the economy. Permanent-resident status through an EB-5 visa is available to foreign investors who have invested - or are actively in the process of investing - at least $1million into a new commercial enterprise, which can entail: the creation of an original business; the purchase of an existing business and restructuring or reorganizing the business to the extent that a new commercial enterprise results; or a significant expansion of an existing AB 690 Page 2 business. (GC § 6315.1) 3) Establishes the Office of California-Mexico Affairs (Office) to serve as a clearinghouse for information and assistance to other state agencies involved with Mexico and develop favorable relations with the State of Baja California, the State of Baja California Sur, other Mexican states bordering on the United States, and the remaining states and territories of Mexico. Requires the office to cooperate with similar organizations and agencies situated within California, the U.S., or Mexico, to further economic development, improve working conditions and living standards, and foster the protection and improvement of the environment in Mexico and California. (GC § 8700 et. seq.) 4) Establishes the California-Mexico Border Relations Council (Council) comprised of the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, and the Director of Emergency Services, with the Secretary for Environmental Protection serving as Chair. Requires the Council to coordinate activities of state agencies that are related to cross-border programs, initiatives, projects, and partnerships that exist within state government, to improve the effectiveness of state and local efforts that are of concern between California and Mexico. Requires the Council to establish policies to coordinate the collection and sharing of data related to cross-border issues between and among agencies and make recommendations to the Legislature. (GC § 8710 et. seq.) 5) Establishes GO-Biz within the Governor's Office for the purpose of serving as the lead state entity for economic strategy and marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment and economic growth. GO-Biz also serves as the administrative oversight for the California Business Investment Service and the Office of the Small Business Advocate. (GC §§ 12096 - 12098.8) 6) Specifies that GO-Biz is the primary state agency authorized to attract foreign investments, cooperate in international public infrastructure projects, and support California businesses in accessing markets, and requires the Director of GO-Biz to develop an international trade and investment program (Program) attracting employment-producing direct foreign investment to the state and provides support for California businesses in accessing international markets and increasing exports. (GC § 13996.41) AB 690 Page 3 7) Authorizes GO-Biz to establish international trade and investment (ITI) offices outside of the U.S. according to certain requirements. (GC § 13996.42) 8) Requires GO-Biz to prepare an international trade and investment strategy and provide a report to the Legislature on or before February 1, 2014, updated once every five years that includes: (GC § 13996.55) a) Policy goals, objectives and recommendations necessary to implement a comprehensive international trade and investment program. b) Measurable outcomes and timelines for the goals, objectives and actions for the program. c) Impediments to achieving goals and objectives. d) Key stakeholder partnerships that will be used to implement the strategy. e) Options for funding. f) An organizational structure for state administration of international trade and investment policies, programs and services. 9)Requires the Director of GO-Biz to prepare the following: (GC § 13996.65) a) A budget for the Program and a separately stated budget for each ITI office, with specified information. b) A strategy and business plan for the Program, with specified information, that is developed with input from California businesses that shall include, but not be limited to, measurable goals, objectives, and outcomes and timelines necessary to attract employment-producing direct foreign investment to the state and increase California exports. c) A written review of the implementation of the prior year's strategy and business plan for the Program that addresses the performance of the program and each ITI Office. 1)Provides that the Controller shall not allocate any state funds to AB 690 Page 4 GO-Biz for international trade and investment activities unless the strategy for international trade and investment has been submitted to the Legislature by May 1, 2014. (GC § 13996.75) 2)Establishes processes and accountability measures for GO-Biz to accept private monies to fund, establish and operate international trade offices. (GC § 13997) 3)Provides for the following related to the role of stage agencies with respect to international relations: (GC § 99500) a) The Governor is the primary state officer representing California's interest in international affairs, to the extent that representation is not in conflict with federal law or the California Constitution. b) The Lieutenant Governor is the Chair of the California Commission for Economic Development, to improve trade opportunities for California. The Legislature finds that the commission has developed international partnerships that provide venues for foreign companies to do business in the state and for California-based companies to access foreign markets. c) The Attorney General is the chief law officer of California and as such assists the federal government in defending against international challenges to California laws. d) The Secretary of State oversees the International Business Relations Program, which aims to develop stronger connections between the international business community and the state by assisting foreign business entities with the various filing processes and procedures in California. e) The Department of Food and Agriculture is the primary state agency for the promotion of California agriculture, fish, and forest exports. f) The Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency are the primary state agencies for the promotion of international exchange of environmental protection technologies, alternative energy technologies, and the promotion of the transfer of environmental technology to and from the state. g) GO-Biz is the primary state agency responsible for international trade and investment activities in areas other than AB 690 Page 5 those covered by the Department of Food and Agriculture. 13)Establishes a state point of contact (SPOC), within the executive branch, to act as the liaison between the state and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on trade-related matters. Provides that the SPOC is often provided the opportunity to review and comment on ongoing trade negotiations and must promptly disseminate correspondence or information from the USTR to the appropriate state agencies and departments and legislative committees and work with the appropriate state agencies and departments, and the Legislature, to review the effects on the California environment, and California businesses, workers, and general lawmaking authority, of any proposed or enacted trade agreement provisions and communicate those findings to the USTR. (GC § 99501) 14)Requires the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to maintain and update a full and comprehensive list of all state agreements made with foreign governments, updated within 30 days of the effective date of each new agreement. This bill: 1) Repeals and recasts provisions related to the California-Mexico Border Relations Council and Office of California-Mexico Affairs. 2) Strikes current Legislative intent language for the creation of the Office, about the need for state agencies to address important United States-Mexico issues, and replaces it with language related to: (1) trade with Mexico and California's potential to capitalize on Mexico's growing economy, impacts of border crossing delays between Mexico and the United States along the Imperial County-Baja California border, (2) recognition that faster foreign direct investment is occurring elsewhere, (3) California's lack of a formal mechanism devoted to maximizing trade, addressing challenges, and coordinating cross-border programs for trade development between the two countries, and (4) establishing an official trade relationship with Mexico that will help ensure that the state can improve its global competitiveness and protect California industry, proactively support the expansion and location of businesses in California, provide international business assistance to California businesses, and support their entry and successful participation in the growing Mexican marketplace. 3) Provides that the Governor, or his or her designee, shall serve as the California member of any board, council, commission, or other AB 690 Page 6 binational advisory or coordinating body convened under the auspices of the Office. 4) Adds the Director of GO-Biz to the Council and establishes the Director of GO-Biz as the Chair of the Council. FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed "non-fiscal" by Legislative Counsel. COMMENTS: 1. Purpose. The Author is the Sponsor of this bill. According to the Author, "the state's two existing programs on California-Mexico relations are basically shells. As a result, existing law on California's trade programs is confusing and does not give prominence to California-Mexico trade. Business groups have noted that the state's laws on foreign relations and trade are difficult to locate and understand because there isn't one comprehensive code section for all trade programs." This bill seeks to address that problem by updating California law to create one comprehensive authorizing statute for the state's international trade activities, what the Author calls "a technical fix that simply moves the authorizing statutes for the Office of California-Mexico Affairs and the California-Mexico Border Relations Council to be within the other statutes relating to foreign relations." The Author also adds that this bill aligns the California-Mexico trade programs with other trade programs within GO-Biz by making the Director of GO-Biz the chair of the California-Mexico Border Relations Council. 2. Background. a) Office of California-Mexico Affairs. The Office was initially created in 1982 to oversee the activities of the former Commission of the Californias (Commission) and California Office of the Southwest Border Regional Conference (Conference). The general charge of the Commission, prior to elimination due to the elimination of the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency (TTCA) in 2004, and the Conference, was to develop favorable economic, educational, and cultural relations with Baja California, Baja California Sur and territories with the Republic of Mexico and coordinate with other American border states. The Office was charged with serving as a clearinghouse for information and assistance to other state agencies involved with Mexico. AB 690 Page 7 b) California Border Relations Council. Created following the demise of TTCA and concern about the lack of a state government structure to provide effective coordination of various state agency efforts, as well as a thoughtful and collaborative assessment of current and future program development that will serve the needs of both California and Mexico in the 21st century, the Council currently operates under the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA)'s California-Baja California Boarder Environmental Program. In 2006, when the Council was established, there was no entity, despite the numerous programs and initiatives amongst various agencies, to coordinate or collaborate or provide for any information sharing. At that time, the Legislature was focused on mitigating any potential impacts stemming from the recently enacted North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including challenges in the areas of economic development, labor relations, health care, and environmental protection. Numerous programs at various levels of state government have been established to address these issues. The Council coordinates cross-border programs, initiatives, projects and partnerships within California state agencies, establishes California state agency policies or the collection and sharing of cross-border data, identifies and recommends changes in the law needed to achieve Council goals and reports annually to the Legislature. The Council's 2011-12 annual report to the Legislature provided an overview of Council activities, highlighting the Council working "closely and effectively with local governments and stakeholders on both sides of the border to make great strides in public health and safety as well as environmental protection and restoration." The report noted that recent population and industrial growth, combined with the lack of public funding to meet these expanding needs has led to pressures on public safety, environmental ecosystems and infrastructure in the region. According to the report, the region is experiencing greater traffic congestion, water shortages, reduced air quality, increased generation and disposal of hazardous wastes, sewage infrastructure deficiencies and contaminated beaches and waterways. 1. Trade with Mexico. According to information provided by United States International Trade Commission (USITC), Mexico is the United States' third-largest trading partner. Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexico and the United States have significantly strengthened their economic ties. AB 690 Page 8 Mexico ranks third as a source of U.S. imports ($285.4 billion in 2011) and second as an export market for U.S. goods and services ($174.4 billion in 2011). Beginning in 1999, Mexico became California's number one trade partner. The Public Policy Institute released a study in 2004 that highlighted how California and Mexico's trade is two-way within the same commodity class, suggesting extensive production sharing. Components made in California are assembled or further processed in Mexico, and shipped back to California. One estimate states that Mexican exports include over 20% U.S. components. Top commodities for this type of trade include: machinery, vehicles, instruments, and electronics and electronic equipment. California's top five exports to Mexico in 2012 were: Computer and Electronic Products ($8.3 billion), Transportation Equipment ($2.4 billion), Machinery, except Electrical ($2 billion), Petroleum and Coal Products ($1.8 billion), and Chemicals ($1.5 billion). 2. Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and International Trade Efforts in California. In February 2010, the Little Hoover Commission undertook a review of the state's economic and workforce development programs. In its final report, Making up for Lost Ground: Creating a Governor's Office of Economic Development, it analyzed the status and effectiveness of current programs since the 2003 demise of the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency and recommended the creation of a new governmental entity to fill the void left by the dismantled agency. The report called for a single entity that would promote greater economic development, foster job creation, serve as a policy advisor and deliver specific services (i.e., permitting, tax, regulatory, and other information) directly to the California business community. In April 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-05-10 as a means to operationalize the report recommendations including the creation of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED). In October 2011, the Governor signed AB 29 (cited and described below), which effectively codified GOED and changed its name to GO-Biz, effective January 1, 2012. Since its inception, the office has served over 3,000 businesses, 95% of which are small. The most frequent types of assistance include help with permit streamlining, starting a businesses, relocation and expansion of businesses, and regulatory challenges. When TTCA was eliminated in 2004 due to its poor administrative AB 690 Page 9 performance, the authority for all state trade activity was also eliminated and the few remaining programs came under the umbrella of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH). The former International Investment Division under TTCA had 91 employees and a budget of $43 million, allowing it to engage in activities like formal marketing. Beginning in the 2005-06 Session, several legislative measures were introduced to reinstate the state's trade authority. SB 1530 (Romero, 2006) addressed these concerns by requiring BTH to undertake a trade study to determine what role the state should play in international trade and foreign investment activities and required them to establish a business advisory committee, and development of a trade strategy consistent with the study and acts as the vehicle for implementing the state's trade policy. The first strategy was published in February 2008 and most recent was issued in February 2014. The February strategy highlighted strategic objectives intended to implement an overall policy of creating jobs, increasing revenues for California enterprises, and improving California's international competitiveness by expanding the export of California goods and services and by increasing foreign direct investment into the state. The objectives include: Developing a comprehensive, coordinated and cohesive strategy development framework with a clear vision to expand trade and investment, which includes other relevant state agencies, with input from private and public sector stakeholders. Implementing more proactive outreach, awareness, education and engagement programs both within the state for California-based companies and through foreign partners and trade office(s). Maximizing China Trade Office resources and opportunities to expand exports and investment. Developing an action plan to address key challenges facing California's ports and related infrastructure to ensure their competitiveness. Re-engaging and strengthening working relationships with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the state's Congressional delegation to advocate California interests related to international trade and investment. AB 690 Page 10 Developing and implementing a more user-friendly, comprehensive, interactive and useful website to assist California companies wanting to export and to attract foreign investment. In the report, GO-Biz advised it will reevaluate, when appropriate or necessary, the recommended objectives and actions in order to achieve the state's overall international trade and investment policy goals. In February 2014, Governor Brown announced the creation of a California International Trade and Investment Advisory Council (Council) which will advise GO-Biz on strategies to expand international trade and investment for California businesses. Specifically, in announcing its creation, the Governor noted that the Council "will assist GO-Biz in identifying foreign markets with the greatest potential for export expansion and in developing specific export strategies for those markets - including the state's top trading partners, Canada, Mexico and China, and emerging markets such as Brazil and India." Until the creation of GO-Biz there were only a very small number of former International Investment Division staff working on trade related issues and activities for the state. GO-Biz now has authority for undertaking international trade and foreign investment activities, including establishing any international trade and investment office ( AB 2012 , Perez, Chapter 294, Statutes of 2012). GO-Biz has partnered with the Bay Area Council to open a California-China Trade and Investment office in Shanghai's downtown Yangpu district. In a March 2013 report to the Legislature on the status of this effort, GO-Biz described the office's goals "to drive increased employment, revenues at California enterprises, tax revenues, and international competitiveness in California" which will be accomplished through promoting investment in California; facilitating two-way international business growth, with an emphasis on expanding foreign sales by California employers, including not only manufacturers, agricultural enterprises, and commodity producers, but also service providers such as universities, banks, consulting companies, and the like; supporting continued growth of California's role as a gateway state for goods movement and passenger travel; and identifying and addressing barriers to international expansion by California employers. 1. Related Legislation This Year. SB 511 (Lieu) of 2014 would require GO-Biz to convene a statewide business partnership for port trade promotion and would create an export finance office to provide AB 690 Page 11 export assistance to small and medium sized companies. ( Status: The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy.) SB 928 (Correa) of 2014 requires GO-Biz to establish an international trade and investment office in Mexico City, Mexico by January 1, 2016. ( Status: The bill is pending in the Assembly.) AB 337 (Allen) of 2013 updates requirements for the international trade strategy prepared by GO-Biz to be based on current and emerging market conditions and the needs of investors, businesses, and workers to be competitive in global markets. ( Status: The bill is pending in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.) AB 2713 (Quirk-Silva) of 2014 authorizes GO-Biz to establish public-private partnerships to help guide state activities related to the export of California products and requires GO-Biz to establish the South Korean Trade Promotion Advisory Committee to help guide state activities related to the export of California products to South Korea and the attraction of employment-producing direct foreign investment by South Korean investors. ( Status: The bill is pending in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.) 2. Prior Related Legislation. SB 592 (Lieu) of 2013 was identical to SB 511 and also would have required GO-Biz to provide a port trade promotion strategy to the Legislature on or before April 1, 2014. ( Status: The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) SB 810 (Price, 2013) would have authorized the California Transportation Financing Authority to award $500 million in tax credit certificates to exporters and importers, as defined, for the specified increases in cargo tonnage or value, net increases in the number of qualified full-time employees hired in California, or capital investment in a cargo facility. ( Status: The bill is pending in the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance.) AB 412 (Allen) of 2013 stated the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to enhance and expand opportunities for California businesses to engage in international trade. ( Status: The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) AB 886 (Allen) of 2013 stated the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address issues that enhance and expand opportunities for California business to engage in international trade with Latin America and other nations. ( Status: The bill was AB 690 Page 12 held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) AB 1067 (Medina, Chapter 535, Statutes of 2013) established the California Foreign Investment Program within GO-Biz as the lead entity for overseeing the state's participation in the federal the EB-5 visa program. AB 1081 (Medina) of 2013 would have required the international trade and investment strategy prepared by GO-Biz to include the identification of trade-related infrastructure enhancements to support the state's international trade policies, programs, and services and requires the interregional transportation improvement program prepared by the Department of Transportation to include projects to improve international movement of goods through air, land, and water ports. ( Status: The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) AB 1088 (Muratsuchi) would have required GO-Biz, no later than January 1, 2016, to establish an overseas trade office in Tokyo, Japan. ( Status : This bill was never heard in a policy committee.) AB 1201 (Allen) of 2013 stated the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address issues that enhance and expand opportunities for California business to engage in international trade with the European Union and other nations. ( Status: The bill was never heard in a policy committee.) AJR 4 (Hueso, Pérez, Res. Chapter 24, Statutes of 2013) urges the federal government to fund necessary improvements at the San Ysidro, Calexico, and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry. AB 2012 (Perez, Chapter 294, Statutes of 2012) transferred the authority for undertaking international trade and foreign investment activities from BTH to GO-Biz, including establishing any international trade and investment office. SB 460 (Price) of 2011 included similar language as contained in SB 511 and SB 592 above, ( Status : The bill was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) SB 830 (Wright, 2011) is virtually identical SB 810 of 2013. ( Status: This measure failed passage in the Senate Committee on Revenue and Taxation.) SCR 33 (Price, Resolution Chapter 60, Statutes of 2011) expressed the sentiment of the Legislature that the EB-5 visa program is AB 690 Page 13 beneficial to the state's economic development and provides important opportunities for foreign direct investment to California. AB 29 (John A. Pérez, Chapter 475, Statutes of 2011) established GO-Biz within the Governor's Office for the purpose of serving as the lead entity for economic strategy and marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment and economic growth. AB 1137 (V. Manuel Pérez, 2011) would have facilitated local economic development and job creation by assisting small business to access new export markets for their goods and services, updating the law relating to free trade zones, and authorizing the use of new federal funds under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. ( Status: This measure was held in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.) AB 2656 (Calderon, 2011) is virtually identical to SB 810 of 2013. ( Status: This measure was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) SB 1175 (Price, 2010) would have required the Secretary of BTH to direct the California Travel and Tourism Commission to conduct a review of its principal mission and core competencies in order to determine if the commission should include trade promotion in its strategic marketing plan or other future plans of the commission and provide a report to the Legislature. ( Status: This measure was held in the Senate Committee on Rules.) AB 2443 (Perez, 2010) required the state point of contact for trade agreements to provide specified Legislative committees with copies of any official position taken or comments, that any entity within the executive branch of state government provided to the U.S. Trade Representative relating to a pending trade agreement. The bill also created a new process for the establishment of Sister State relationships with a purpose of promoting economic growth and trade and investment opportunities. ( Status: This measure was vetoed by the Governor.) AB 1409 (Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy Committee) of 2011 would have required that the next update by BTH of the international trade and investment strategy to include policy goals, objectives and recommendations from the state Goods Movement Action Plan. ( Status : The bill was amended to deal with another subject matter and held in the Senate Committee on Rules in 2012.) AB 690 Page 14 AB 1558 (Assembly Committee on Jobs, 2009) aimed to recodify and reorganize sections of the Government Code to create one comprehensive code for the state's international trade activities and programs. ( Status: The measure was amended to deal with reorganization of the state's economic development programs. This measure was held in the Senate Committee on Appropriations in 2010.) AB 1722 (Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, 2008) would have required BT&H to provide the Legislature with a copy of the international trade and investment policy, which is a result of its work on the required international trade study and strategy. ( Status: This measure was vetoed by the Governor.) AJR 14 (Jeffries, Resolution Chapter 73, Statutes of 2007) memorialized the President of the U.S. and Congress to enact legislation to ensure that a substantial increment of new revenues derived from customs duties and importation fees be dedicated to mitigating the economic, mobility, security, and environmental impacts of trade in California and other trade-affected states across the U.S. SB 1513 (Romero, Chapter 663, Statutes of 2006) provided new authority for BT&H to undertake international trade and investment activities, and as a condition of that new authority, directs the development of a comprehensive international trade and investment policy for California. AB 3021 (Nunez, Chapter 621 of 2006) established the current Council. AB 1395 (Nunez) of 2005 would have required the Secretary of Cal EPA and the Secretary of BTH to develop and coordinate a strategic plan, and make recommendations regarding an appropriate governance structure for California-Mexico relations. ( Status: This measure was vetoed by the Governor.) AB 2399 (Garcia) of 2005 would have required the Secretary of BTH to prepare and provide to the Legislature a study on infrastructure development along the California-Mexico border and to report whether there is a need for alternative financing mechanisms. ( Status: The bill was amended to deal with a different subject matter.) AB 690 Page 15 SB 772 (Ducheny, Chapter 214, Statues of 2005) required the California Integrated Waste Management Board's waste tire five-year plan to incorporate information on border region activities on waste tires. AB 1183 (Ridley-Thomas) of 2003-04 would have required BTH to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of a California and Mexico Border Economic Infrastructure Financing Authority. ( Status: This measure was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) SB 865 (Polanco) of 2001 would have established a California and Mexico Border Infrastructure Financing Authority within the State Treasurer's Office. ( Status: This measure was held in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.) SB 207 (Peace, Chapter 773, Statutes of 1999) permitted the establishment of Infrastructure Financing Districts along the California-Mexico border. 3. Suggested Author's Amendment. The Council's activities, as highlighted in the 2011-12 annual report, focus on mitigating many of the significant health and public safety challenges that California and Mexico face, most especially in border communities. The majority of California's 32 current agreements or Memorandums of Understanding with foreign governments focus on environmental issues or policies. There is some concern that, while it is imperative for the state to support and promote trade and international partnerships with other nations as a means of boosting our economy and the ability for California businesses to have an international market for their goods and services, this bill could have the effect of shifting the administration of the Council's work to an entity that was intended to be under the Governor for high level economic development activities, by requiring the Director of GO-Biz to be the Chair of the Council. The Author may wish to keep language in the bill to add the Director of GO-Biz to the Council as a means of further enhancing important strategies and conversations related to trade with Mexico, but strike the requirement that the GO-Biz Director serve as Chair. On page 6, strike lines 37-38 and replace with current law identifying the Secretary for Environmental Protection as the chair of the council. AB 690 Page 16 SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION: Support: None on file as of June 18, 2014. Opposition: None on file as of June 18, 2014. Consultant:Sarah Mason