Amended in Assembly April 9, 2014

California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 2176

Introduced by Assembly Member John A. Pérez

February 20, 2014

An act to amend Section 12096.3 of the Government Code, begin insert and to amend Section 1401 of the Labor Code, end insert relating to begin delete state government end delete begin insert economic development end insert .

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 2176, as amended, John A. Pérez. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

The Economic Revitalization Act establishes the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as “GO-Biz,” to, among other things, 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. Existing law authorizes GO-Biz to, among other things, make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on new state policies, programs, and actions, or amendments to existing programs.

This bill would instead require GO-Biz to perform the above-described activities and to develop recommendations for an economic development strategic plan for the state.

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Existing law provides that an employer, with certain exceptions, may not order a mass layoff, relocation, or termination, as defined, at a covered establishment without giving 60 days’ prior written notice to employees and the Employment Development Department and other local agencies, as well as complying with specified federal guidelines.

end insert begin insert

This bill would require the employer to also provide written notice to the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and require the Employment Development Department to post the notice on its Internet Web site.

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

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

SECTION 1.  

Section 12096.3 of the Government Code is
amended to read:

12096.3.  

The office shall 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. In this capacity, the office shall do all of the
following:

(a) Recommend to the Governor and the Legislature new state
policies, programs, and actions, or amendments to existing
programs, advance statewide economic goals and respond to
emerging economic problems and opportunities, and ensure that
all state policies and programs conform to the adopted state
economic and business development goals.

(b) Coordinate the development of policies and criteria to ensure
that federal grants administered or directly expended by state
government advance statewide economic goals and objectives.

(c) Market the business and investment opportunities available
in California by working in partnership with local, regional, federal,
and other state public and private institutions to encourage business
development and investment in the state.

(d) Provide, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Economic and demographic data.

(2) Financial information to help link businesses with state and
local public and private programs.

(3) Workforce information, including, but not limited to, labor
availability, training, and education programs.

(4) Transportation and infrastructure information.

(5) Assistance in obtaining state and local permits.

(6) Information on tax credits and other incentives.

(7) Permitting, siting, and other regulatory information pertinent
to business operations in the state.

(e) Establish a well-advertised telephone number, an interactive
Internet Web site, and an administrative structure that effectively
supports the facilitation of business development and investment
in the state.

(f) Encourage collaboration among research institutions, startup
companies, local governments, venture capitalists, and economic
development agencies to promote innovation.

(g) In cooperation with the federal government, foster
relationships with overseas entities to improve the state’s image
as a destination for business investment and expansion.

(h) Conduct research on the state’s business climate, including,
but not limited to, research on how the state can remain on the
leading edge of innovation and emerging sectors.

(i) Support small businesses by providing information about
accessing capital, complying with regulations, and supporting state
initiatives that support small business.

(j) Develop recommendations for an economic development
strategic plan for the state.

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begin insert SEC. 2. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 1401 of the end insert begin insert Labor Code end insert begin insert is amended to read: end insert

1401.  

(a) An employer may not order a mass layoff, relocation,
or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before
the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the
order to the following:

(1) The employees of the covered establishment affected by the
order.

(2) The Employment Development Department, begin insert the Governor’s
Office of Business and Economic Development, end insert the local workforce
investment board, and the chief elected official of each city and
county government within which the termination, relocation, or
mass layoff occurs.

(b) An employer required to give notice of any mass layoff,
relocation, or termination under this chapter shall include in its
notice the elements required by the federal Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. Sec. 2101 et seq.).

(c) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (a), an
employer is not required to provide notice if a mass layoff,
relocation, or termination is necessitated by a physical calamity
or act of war.

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(d) The Employment Development Department shall, upon
receipt of the notice, post the notice on its Internet Web site.

end insert