BILL NUMBER: AB 2176AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 9, 2014 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member John A. Prez FEBRUARY 20, 2014 An act to amend Section 12096.3 of the Government Code, and to amend Section 1401 of the Labor Code, relating tostate governmenteconomic develo pment . LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2176, as amended, John A. Prez. 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. 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. 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. 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. SEC. 2. Section 1401 of the Labor Code is amended to read: 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, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, 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. (d) The Employment Development Department shall, upon receipt of the notice, post the notice on its Internet Web site.