BILL ANALYSIS �
SCR 121
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SCR 121 (Block, et. al)
As Amended June 30, 2014
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :34-0
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 8-0
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|Ayes:|Medina, Mansoor, Campos, | | |
| |Daly, Fong, Fox, Linder, | | |
| |Melendez | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Memorializes the Legislature's support for the memorandum of
understanding (MOU) calling for strategic partnerships between
California and Israel. Specifically, this bill :
1)Makes declarations, which among other things, state:
a) The Governor of California and the Prime Minister of Israel
signed a MOU calling for strategic partnerships on innovation,
exchanges, and cooperation and that the signing of the MOU was
the culmination of an effort started by the California
Legislature in 2009;
b) The participants in the MOU seek to expand the current level
of cooperation between Israel and California in the areas
including alternative energy, environmental technology, health,
food and agriculture, research, and development; and
c) The MOU will solidify a formal relationship between the two
parties to foster economic cooperation and economic development,
facilitate joint industrial research and development, and enhance
business relationships between Israeli universities and
universities throughout California.
2)States that the MOU envisions, among other actions, that the
following actions will be undertaken:
a) Bilateral, interagency working groups with international
expertise will be convened to coordinate initiatives;
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b) The California innovation hub network will be used to
facilitate collaborations between Israeli and Californian
entrepreneurs and researchers;
c) Ad hoc task forces, trade delegations, and professional
exchanges between Israel and California in key sectors will be
encouraged;
d) Public-private partnerships between Californian and Israeli
entities in the areas of economic development, social
entrepreneurship, or academic research will be established; and,
e) Collaboration between universities in California and Israel on
research and development will be facilitated.
3)Resolves that the Legislature supports the MOU for establishing
strategic partnerships between California and the nation of Israel
that support joint innovation in clean technologies and water
conservation, health and biotechnology, cybersecurity, education,
agricultural technology, research, and other informational
exchanges, and that also promote mutual cooperation, understanding,
and friendship by encouraging trade delegations and collaboration on
mutual projects and issues of interest.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : This resolution, sponsored by the California Legislative
Jewish Caucus (Caucus), recognizes the Legislature's support for the
March 5, 2014, MOU between the State of California and Country of
Israel. The MOU lays the foundation and framework for joint research
and development projects, academic and business exchanges, and the
overall enhancement of the cooperation between the two signatories.
The Legislative Jewish Caucus: The Caucus was formed in January of
2014 to discuss and advocate for issues of priority to its members,
including immigration reform, civil rights including anti-Semitism on
college campuses, and Israel. Members of the Caucus have described it
as secular, rather than religious. One of the first official acts of
the Caucus was to participate in the California State Senate's
official ceremony honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King,
Jr., Senator Marty Block, chair of the Caucus, spoke about the
significant work of Martin Luther King Jr. and the important role Jews
played in the civil rights movement.
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California's Trade Economy: International trade and foreign
investment serve as critical components of California's $2 trillion
economy. If California were a country, it would be the 17th largest
exporter and the 14th largest importer in the world. Merchandise
exports from California ($168 billion) accounted for over 10.6% of
total United States exports in goods, shipping to over 220 foreign
destinations in 2013. Statewide, 4.4 million California jobs are
dependent on foreign trade. Over 562,700 California workers benefit
from jobs with foreign-owned firms, which accounts for 5.1% of all
private sector jobs in the state.
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| California Export based on Movement of Goods 2012 and 2013 |
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|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| Rank | Country | 2012 Value | 2013 Value | 2012 % Share | 2013 % Share | % Change, |
| | | | | | | 2012 - 2013 |
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| --- |Total | 161,880| 168,128| 10.5| 10.6| 3.9|
| |California | | | | | |
| |Exports and % | | | | | |
| |Share of U.S. | | | | | |
| |Total | | | | | |
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| --- |Total, Top 25 | 143,671| 149,020| 88.8| 88.6| 3.7|
| |Countries and | | | | | |
| |% Share of | | | | | |
| |State Total | | | | | |
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 1 |Mexico | 26,370| 23,933| 16.3| 14.2| -9.2|
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 2 |Canada | 17,424| 18,819| 10.8| 11.2| 8.0|
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 3 |China | 13,970| 16,359| 8.6| 9.7| 17.1|
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 4 |Japan | 13,033| 12,711| 8.1| 7.6| -2.5|
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 5 |South Korea | 8,246| 8,394| 5.1| 5.0| 1.8|
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| | | | | | | |
|--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+--------------|
| 17 |Israel | 8,246| 2,323| 5.1| 1.4| -12.5|
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SCR 121
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|Source: tradeport.org |
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Analysis Prepared by : Toni Symonds and Holland Nguyen / J., E.D. & E.
/ (916) 319-2090
FN:
0004147