California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 680


Introduced by Assembly Member Atkins

February 25, 2015


An act to amend Section 12096.3 of the Government Code, relating to economic development.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 680, as introduced, Atkins. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: duties.

Existing law, the Economic Revitalization Act, establishes the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as GO-Biz, under the control of a director who is responsible to the Governor. Existing law requires GO-Biz to serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and authorizes it to undertake specified activities, including marketing business and investment opportunities in California by working in partnership with local, regional, federal, and other state public and private institutions to encourage business development and investment.

Existing law, the California Tourism Marketing Act, authorizes the Office of Tourism within GO-Biz to establish the California Travel and Tourism Commission, a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, for the purpose of promoting tourism in California, and sets forth its powers and duties and the procedure for appointing its members.

This bill would require GO-Biz to work in partnership with the California Travel and Tourism Commission to develop a plan to market the business and investment opportunities available in California to encourage business development and investment in this state.

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

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

P2    1

SECTION 1.  

Section 12096.3 of the Government Code is
2amended to read:

3

12096.3.  

begin insert(a)end insertbegin insertend insertThe office shall serve the Governor as the lead
4entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on
5issues relating to business development, private sector investment,
6and economic growth. In this capacity, the office may:

begin delete

7(a)

end delete

8begin insert(1)end insert Recommend to the Governor and the Legislature new state
9policies, programs, and actions, or amendments to existing
10programs, advance statewide economic goals and respond to
11emerging economic problems and opportunities, and ensure that
12all state policies and programs conform to the adopted state
13economic and business development goals.

begin delete

14(b)

end delete

15begin insert(2)end insert Coordinate the development of policies and criteria to ensure
16that federal grants administered or directly expended by state
17government advance statewide economic goals and objectives.

begin delete

18(c)

end delete

19begin insert(3)end insert Market the business and investment opportunities available
20in California by working in partnership with local, regional, federal,
21and other state public and private institutions to encourage business
22development and investment in the state.

begin delete

23(d)

end delete

24begin insert(4)end insert Provide, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

begin delete

25(1)

end delete

26begin insert(A)end insert Economic and demographic data.

begin delete

27(2)

end delete

28begin insert(B)end insert Financial information to help link businesses with state and
29local public and private programs.

begin delete

30(3)

end delete

31begin insert(C)end insert Workforce information, including, but not limited to, labor
32availability, training, and education programs.

begin delete

33(4)

end delete

34begin insert(D)end insert Transportation and infrastructure information.

begin delete

35(5)

end delete

P3    1begin insert(E)end insert Assistance in obtaining state and local permits.

begin delete

2(6)

end delete

3begin insert(F)end insert Information on tax credits and other incentives.

begin delete

4(7)

end delete

5begin insert(G)end insert Permitting, siting, and other regulatory information pertinent
6to business operations in the state.

begin delete

7(e)

end delete

8begin insert(5)end insert Establish a well-advertised telephone number, an interactive
9Internet Web site, and an administrative structure that effectively
10supports the facilitation of business development and investment
11in the state.

begin delete

12(f)

end delete

13begin insert(6)end insert Encourage collaboration among research institutions, startup
14companies, local governments, venture capitalists, and economic
15development agencies to promote innovation.

begin delete

16(g)

end delete

17begin insert(7)end insert In cooperation with the federal government, foster
18relationships with overseas entities to improve the state’s image
19as a destination for business investment and expansion.

begin delete

20(h)

end delete

21begin insert(8)end insert Conduct research on the state’s business climate, including,
22but not limited to, research on how the state can remain on the
23leading edge of innovation and emerging sectors.

begin delete

24(i)

end delete

25begin insert(9)end insert Support small businesses by providing information about
26accessing capital, complying with regulations, and supporting state
27initiatives that support small business.

begin insert

28(b) The office shall, in partnership with the California Travel
29and Tourism Commission, develop a plan to market the business
30and investment opportunities available in California to encourage
31business development and investment in this state.

end insert


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