BILL NUMBER: AB 1348 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2015 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Irwin FEBRUARY 27, 2015 An act to amend Section 12096.3 of the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1348, as amended, Irwin. 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 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. The act authorizes GO-Biz to perform numerous functions in this regard, including, among others, coordinating the development of policies and criteria to ensure that federal grants administered or directly expended by state government advance statewide economic goals and objectives. This bill wouldmake a nonsubstantive change to that provision.additionally authorize the office to establish a federal grant administrator who serves as a single point-of-contact for information on federal grants related to business development, private sector investment, economic growth, and local government, and provides coordinating functions to manage and maximize federal grant opportunities within the state, as provided. This bill would further authorize the office to maintain information on its Internet Web site relating to federal grants and other grant opportunities. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:noyes . 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 may do any 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) (1) Establish a federal grant administrator who serves as a single point-of-contact for information on federal grants related to business development, private sector investment, economic growth, and local government, and provides coordinating functions to manage and maximize federal grant opportunities. A federal grant administrator may do any of the following: (A) Establish a statewide network of individuals who serve as a point-of-contact for federal grant opportunities in their respective state agencies and departments, local governments, institutions of higher education, and foundations. (B) Provide in-person and online training for individuals who serve as a point-of-contact to encourage and improve the pursuit of federal grant opportunities. (C) Identify employees within state government with expertise in federal grant management and knowledge of state government structure and responsibilities. (D) On or before January 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, create and post on the office's Internet Web site a report that tracks annual federal grant funding to the state that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following performance metrics: (i) Number of federal grants awarded to the state. (ii) Number of completed applications. (iii) Total dollars received by the state. (iv) Total dollars received in the state by schools and local governments. (v) Number of training sessions hosted by the federal grant administrator and attendance at those events. (vi) The extent to which individuals in the statewide network who serve as a point-of-contact have met and coordinated efforts. (2) Maintain information on the office's Internet Web site relating to federal grant information, including, but not limited to, relevant information from the federal government, www.grants.gov, or a successor Internet Web site operated by the federal government, subgrants, state grants, local grants, and foundation grants.