BILL NUMBER: AB 1616	CHAPTERED  09/16/99

	CHAPTER   431
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 26, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 24, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 19, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Havice

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to amend Section 15331 of the Government Code, relating to
international trade and economic development.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1616, Havice.  Office of Economic Research:  duties:  tax
strategies and international trade.
   Existing law generally sets forth the duties of the Office of
Economic Research in the Trade and Commerce Agency in gathering,
analyzing, and providing information on the economy of the state.
   Existing law requires the Secretary of Trade and Commerce to
report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on various
aspects of the Trade and Commerce Agency and its programs.
   This bill would additionally require the office (1) to monitor, on
an ongoing basis, the incentives offered by other states to attract
or retain businesses and to provide that information, as specified,
and (2) to respond to inquiries by persons in industry, business,
commerce, or other governmental units concerning international trade
information in the state.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 15331 of the Government Code is amended to
read:
   15331.  The Office of Economic Research shall perform the
following functions and activities:
   (a) Gather, analyze, and interpret pertinent information on the
economy developed by itself, other governmental and private agencies
and publish and disseminate statistics and other information useful
to industry, commerce, and agriculture.  A fee may be charged for the
publications to cover the cost of publication and dissemination.
   (b) Provide assistance to other state agencies in the development
of information or other pertinent data on the economy and the
economic development of the state.
   (c) Prepare or sponsor studies on the economic potential of
various types of business, commercial, or industrial development in
improving the economy of the state, the creation of job opportunities
and the effect on the resources and environment of the state.
   (d) Study, recommend, and report to the secretary on the impact of
governmental policies and regulations and the expected impact of
proposed policies and regulations which do or may unduly restrict
beneficial economic development.
   (e) Monitor, on an ongoing basis, the incentives offered by other
states to attract or retain businesses and to provide that
information compiled about the incentives upon request.
   (f) Respond to inquiries by persons in industry, business,
commerce, or other governmental units concerning the economy,
economic conditions, and international trade information in the
state.