BILL NUMBER: AB 1240 CHAPTERED 07/22/99 CHAPTER 141 FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 22, 1999 APPROVED BY GOVERNOR JULY 21, 1999 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY JULY 12, 1999 PASSED THE SENATE JULY 8, 1999 AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 1, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 28, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 17, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 5, 1999 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Ashburn (Coauthors: Assembly Members Briggs , Calderon, Campbell, Florez, Mazzoni, Pescetti, Reyes, and Wright) (Coauthors: Senators Costa and Poochigian) FEBRUARY 26, 1999 An act to add Chapter 1.10 (commencing with Section 15365.30) to Part 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to international trade. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1240, Ashburn. California Central Valley International Trade Center. Existing law establishes various programs to promote economic and business development. This bill would declare that it is the intent of the Legislature (1) that the California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare County coordinate and work cooperatively with other ongoing international trade efforts in the Central Valley, and (2) that funding for the center for specified purposes be appropriated in the annual Budget Act or in another measure. The bill would make related legislative findings and declarations. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that many nations look to the West, particularly to the United States and especially to California, for providing needed products and services. This interest has generated a number of visitors to the Central Valley who are searching for suppliers to meet their needs. It is estimated that, on average, more than one delegation from a foreign country visits the Central Valley each week of the year. The manner in which these visits occur and the manner in which they are handled, for the most part, fail to recognize cultural differences and, in general, fail to establish long-lasting business relationships. Economic opportunities for the communities of the Central Valley are lost due to the lack of a professionally organized marketing coordination. Some impact of this effect is reflected in the United States balance of trade deficit figures. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the creation of the California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare will help the businesses of the Central Valley obtain a larger share of the global market for Central Valley products and services and create new jobs through active expansion of export markets. The identification and use of public and private resources from throughout the Central Valley in this undertaking will make possible the employment of the best and most modern practices of export technology to build and sustain a model trade development organization, including the development and application of electronic commerce designed to maximize exports of agricultural commodities and other California manufactured or processed products. SEC. 2. Chapter 1.10 (commencing with Section 15365.30) is added to Part 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read: CHAPTER 1.10. CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER 15365.30. (a) The California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare has been created for the purpose of assisting Central Valley businesses interested in expanding their markets. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare County coordinate and work cooperatively with other ongoing international trade efforts in the Central Valley, including the Counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare. 15365.31. The California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare is working cooperatively with federal, state, and local governments, as well as chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, trade and product associations, service providers, and private enterprise throughout the Central Valley to accomplish all of the following: (a) Identify and recruit delegations of potential foreign buyers of products produced in the Central Valley. (b) Coordinate visits to the Central Valley by arranging tours, meetings, and social functions that begin the relationship-building process. (c) Prepare a data base of existing and potential exporters of goods and services in the Central Valley. (d) Provide information to Central Valley businesses interested in exporting products and services regarding various opportunities made possible by foreign interests. (e) Provide support services, such as telecommunications, meeting rooms, interpreters, materials, and supplies. (f) Support a permanent display area, well stocked with brochures and data, to showcase products and services of Central Valley businesses. (g) Coordinate regional trade activities with international contacts. (h) Organize and conduct trade missions to prospective client operations and countries. (i) Organize group participation in international shows and other events. (j) Identify governmental programs offering export assistance and solicit support. (k) Conduct training and informational programs for interested parties to promote trade opportunities using the resources of existing export trade centers and services. (l) Engage in the establishment of a regional export incubator program and center for small business and internship for students enrolled in international trade studies. (m) Organize promotional programs and marketing materials relating to Central Valley exports. (n) Maintain liaison between government agencies, Central Valley businesses, and foreign buyers. SEC. 3. It is the intent of the Legislature that funding for the California Central Valley International Trade Center in Tulare for the purposes described in subdivisions (a) to (n), inclusive, of Section 15365.31 of the Government Code be appropriated in the annual Budget Act or in another measure.