BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                            



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                                    THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SCR 121
          Author:   Block (D), Jackson (D), Leno (D), Steinberg (D), and  
          Wolk (D), et al.
          Amended:  As introduced
          Vote:     21


           SUBJECT  :    Trade:  Israel:  memorandum of understanding

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This resolution states the Legislatures support for  
          the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for strategic partnerships  
          for joint innovation, exchanges, and cooperation between  
          California and Israel.

           ANALYSIS  :    This resolution makes the following legislative  
          findings:

          1.Two-way trade between Israel and California totaled over $4  
            billion in 2013.  California and Israel share close ties and  
            are global leaders in the alternative energy, environmental  
            technology, and other technology-based industry sectors.

          2.The Governor of California and the Prime Minister of Israel  
            have just signed an MOU for strategic partnerships for joint  
            innovation, exchanges, and cooperation between California and  
            Israel.  The participants in this MOU seek to expand the  
            current level of cooperation between Israel and California in,  
            but not limited to, alternative energy, environmental  
            technology, health, food and agriculture, and other  
            technology-based industry sectors, business innovation,  
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            research, and development.

          3.Collaboration with Israel will foster peace and democracy in  
            the Middle East; and to achieve these aims, the MOU envisions  
            undertaking actions, including, among others, creating  
            public-private partnerships between Californian and Israeli  
            entities in the areas of economic development, social  
            entrepreneurship, or academic research. 

          This resolution states that the Legislature supports the MOU for  
          strategic partnerships between California and Israel.

           Prior Legislation
           
          AB 1032 (Blumenfield, 2009-10 Session) would have required the  
          Governor to establish an MOU to formalize a relationship between  
          the state and Israel to foster technology development, business  
          development, and educational opportunities in solar energy and  
          environmental technology industries.  The bill died in the  
          Assembly Appropriations Committee.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No


          MW:nl  5/28/14   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

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