BILL NUMBER: AB 680	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Atkins

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2015

   An act to amend Section 12096.3 of the Government Code, relating
to economic development.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 680, as introduced, Atkins. Governor's Office of Business and
Economic Development: duties.
   Existing law, the Economic Revitalization Act, establishes the
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as
GO-Biz, under the control of a director who is responsible to the
Governor. Existing law requires GO-Biz to serve the Governor as the
lead entity for economic strategy and authorizes it to undertake
specified activities, including marketing business and investment
opportunities in California by working in partnership with local,
regional, federal, and other state public and private institutions to
encourage business development and investment.
   Existing law, the California Tourism Marketing Act, authorizes the
Office of Tourism within GO-Biz to establish the California Travel
and Tourism Commission, a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation, for
the purpose of promoting tourism in California, and sets forth its
powers and duties and the procedure for appointing its members.
   This bill would require GO-Biz to work in partnership with the
California Travel and Tourism Commission to develop a plan to market
the business and investment opportunities available in California to
encourage business development and investment in this state.
   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.   (a)    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
may: 
   (a) 
    (1)  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) 
    (2)  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) 
    (3)  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) 
    (4)  Provide, including, but not limited to, all of the
following: 
   (1) 
    (A)  Economic and demographic data. 
   (2) 
    (B)  Financial information to help link businesses with
state and local public and private programs. 
   (3) 
    (C)  Workforce information, including, but not limited
to, labor availability, training, and education programs. 
   (4) 
    (D)  Transportation and infrastructure information.

   (5) 
    (E)  Assistance in obtaining state and local permits.

   (6) 
    (F)  Information on tax credits and other incentives.

   (7) 
    (G)  Permitting, siting, and other regulatory
information pertinent to business operations in the state. 
   (e) 
    (5)  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) 
    (6)  Encourage collaboration among research
institutions, startup companies, local governments, venture
capitalists, and economic development agencies to promote innovation.

   (g) 
    (7)  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) 
    (8)  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) 
    (9)  Support small businesses by providing information
about accessing capital, complying with regulations, and supporting
state initiatives that support small business. 
   (b) The office shall, in partnership with the California Travel
and Tourism Commission, develop a plan to market the business and
investment opportunities available in California to encourage
business development and investment in this state.