text:
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Advocate” means the Small Business Advocate.

(b) “Broad-based employee ownership vehicle” means any of the following:

(1) An employee-owned corporation, as that term is defined in subdivision (c) of Section 91502.1.

(2) An eligible worker-owned cooperative, as defined in subdivision (e).

(3) A business wherein the majority of stock is owned by an employee stock ownership plan, as defined in subdivision (f), or by another trust on behalf of the company’s employees.

(4) A business wherein the majority of which is owned by a trust that has the purposes of creating employee ownership and of promoting the financial and nonfinancial interests of all employees.

(5) A “worker cooperative” or “employment cooperative,” as defined in subdivision (k).

(6) A member-owned organization that includes workers as members and where the voting interest or stock is held by members, and the majority of the governing body is elected by the members on the basis of one vote per member.

(c) “California capital programs” means state programs offering capital assistance to businesses, including, but not limited to, the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the California Rebuilding Fund, and the California Capital Access Program.

(d) “CalOSBA” or “office” means the Office of Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

(e) “Eligible worker-owned cooperative” has the same definition as that term is defined in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 1042 of the Internal Revenue Code, as that provision read on January 1, 2022.

(f) “Employee stock ownership plan” or “ESOP” has the same definition as that term is defined in paragraph (7) of subsection (e) of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, as that provision read on January 1, 2022.

(g) “Employee ownership transition” means the process of a business entering a broad-based employee ownership vehicle.

(h) “Feasibility assessment” means a financial assessment of a company’s debt capacity and other factors that will determine viable employee ownership transition scenarios.

(i) “Independent ESOP trustee” means an ESOP trustee that is unrelated to the company, its officers, and its shareholders, and is in the business of serving as an ESOP fiduciary.

(j) “Manager” means the Employee Ownership Hub Manager.

(k) “Worker cooperative” or “employment cooperative” has the same definition as those terms are defined in Section 12253.5 of the Corporations Code.

article: 6.6. California Employee Ownership Act


kind: section

code: GOV

text:
(a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, CalOSBA shall establish the California Employee Ownership Hub, administered by an Employee Ownership Hub Manager, appointed by the advocate.

(b) The manager shall administer the Employee Ownership Hub, and may be responsible for the following duties:

(1) Work with all California state agencies whose regulations and programs affect employee-owned companies, and businesses with the potential to become employee-owned, to enhance opportunities and reduce barriers.

(2) Partner with relevant private, nonprofit, and public organizations including, but not limited to, professional and trade associations, financial institutions, labor unions, worker centers, Small Business Development Centers, economic and workforce development organizations, and nonprofit entities to educate business owners and employees about the benefits of employee ownership and employee ownership transition succession models.

(3) Share materials regarding employee ownership benefits and employee ownership transition succession models.

(4) Provide a referral service to help business owners, labor unions, workers, and worker centers find appropriate legal, financial, and technical employee ownership resources and services to assist in employee ownership transitions and the growth of employee-owned businesses.

(5) Work with the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the Capital Programs and Climate Financing Authority, and related entities to develop recommendations and enhance the ability of broad-based employee ownership vehicles to access California capital programs. Those recommendations shall only apply to ESOPs to the extent that the ESOPs satisfy one of the following conditions:

(A) The ESOP has appointed an independent ESOP trustee.

(B) The ESOP has, as a trustee, a person or entity that has completed education on ESOP trustee best practices.

(6) Report to the Legislature, in accordance with Section 9795, on activities undertaken by the hub during the prior fiscal year, including recommendations for improvement.

(A) The first report shall be due on January 15, following the first fiscal year in which funding is provided to implement any portion of this article.

(B) This reporting requirement may be met separately or the information may be included in the annual report required by subdivision (b) of Section 12098.4.

(C) CalOSBA shall also post the report to its internet website.

(7) Report employee ownership transition related concerns and recommendations to the advocate.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 710, Sec. 3. (AB 786) Effective January 1, 2026.)

division: 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

article: 6.6. California Employee Ownership Act

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 6.6. California Employee Ownership Act


text:
(a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the California Foreign Investment Program.

(b) For purposes of this chapter:

(1) “Public corporation” means the state, any political subdivision thereof, any incorporated municipality therein, any public agency of the state, of any political subdivision thereof, or of any municipality therein, or any corporate municipal instrumentality of this state or of this state and one or more other states.

(2) “EB-5 Investment Program” and the “Foreign Investment Program” means Section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1153(b)(5)).

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 6315 by Stats. 2017, Ch. 13, Sec. 8. (AB 1727) Effective January 1, 2018.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 6.7. California Foreign Investment Program


text:
(a) The office shall serve as the lead state entity for overseeing the state’s participation with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ EB-5 Investment Program.

(b) The director shall set the terms and conditions for issuing a state designation letter for targeted employment areas within the structure and scope of the EB-5 Investment Program.

(c) (1) A regional center with one or more offices in the state shall provide the office with contact information for the center and the geographic region, if applicable, and industry sector or subsectors recognized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for that center.

(2) A regional center with one or more offices within this state shall annually provide information to the office on the number of clients served, location of investments, and number of direct and indirect jobs created. The regional center may satisfy this requirement by submitting a copy of Form I-924A of the USCIS to the office.

(d) (1) The director shall post on the office’s Internet Web site a list with contact information for each regional center where information is readily available to the office. The list shall be updated when new information is made available on at least an annual basis. The director may also include other relevant information obtained by the office pursuant to subdivision (c).

(2) The office shall annually report on the number of state designation letters issued pursuant to subdivision (b) and on the information provided to the office pursuant to subdivision (c) in either the office’s annual report under Section 13996.65 or in a separate report to the Legislature submitted pursuant to Section 9795. The information on regional centers and designation letters shall, to the extent practicable, be provided in the aggregate, by county, and by legislative district.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 6315.1 by Stats. 2017, Ch. 13, Sec. 9. (AB 1727) Effective January 1, 2018.)

title: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

chapter: 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

article: 6.7. California Foreign Investment Program


text: Any public or private corporation authorized to establish, operate, and maintain a regional center whose application is granted pursuant to the terms of the Immigration and Nationality Act may establish, operate, and maintain the regional center subject to the conditions and restrictions of the EB-5 Investment Program, and any amendments thereto, and any conditions and restrictions established by the director pursuant to this article.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 6315.2 by Stats. 2017, Ch. 13, Sec. 10. (AB 1727) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text: This article shall apply only to EB-5 activities of the state relating to the EB-5 Investment Program occurring on or after January 1, 2014.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 6315.3 by Stats. 2017, Ch. 13, Sec. 11. (AB 1727) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text: This article shall be known and may be cited as the California Small Business Development Technical Assistance Act of 2022.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 68, Sec. 14. (SB 193) Effective June 30, 2022.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 7. California Small Business Development Technical Assistance Expansion Act of 2018


text:
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Small businesses form the core of the California economy and that it is in the interest of the state to increase opportunities and improve access to business and technical resources for entrepreneurs, the self-employed, and microbusiness and small business owners, particularly underserved business groups, including women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses, and businesses in low-wealth, rural, and disaster-impacted communities.

(b) The federal government funds and operates a range of technical assistance programs through contracts with nonprofit organizations that commit to serve and support small businesses in California, including the California Small Business Development Center Program, the Women’s Business Center Program, the Veteran Business Outreach Center Program, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Minority Business Development Agency Center Program, and other similar programs. All of these programs provide free or low-cost services to California small businesses to enable their launch and sustained growth. It is in the interest of the state to collaborate with these programs to provide an economic environment in which small businesses can be successful, including participation in a seamless network of federal, state, and nonprofit programs, services, and activities that benefit small businesses.

(c) (1) The California Small Business Development Center Program, a component of the federal Small Business Development Center Program, plays a significant role in expanding and supporting California small businesses. There are more than 1,000 small business development centers in the United States and its territories, over 40 of which are located throughout California.

(2) The primary role of the California Small Business Development Center Program is to provide technical assistance to the state’s small businesses, including tracking assistance and outcomes that result in a meaningful contribution to the California economy. This program is administered through the federal Small Business Administration.

(d) (1) The Women’s Business Center Program plays a significant role in expanding and supporting women-owned small businesses in California. The Women’s Business Center Program was established to provide in-depth, substantive, outcome-oriented business services to women entrepreneurs, both nascent and established businesses, including a representative number of which are socially and economically disadvantaged.

(2) The Women’s Business Center Program meets its mission through the award of financial assistance to tax-exempt, private nonprofit organizations to enable them to effect a substantial economic impact in their communities, as measured by successful business startups, job creation and retention, and increased company revenues. This program is administered through the federal Small Business Administration.

(e) The Veteran Business Outreach Center Program in California plays an important role in meeting the unique needs of veterans in starting and operating businesses. The program is funded by the federal Small Business Administration’s veterans unit. The Veteran Business Outreach Center Program provides statewide small business consulting and workshops for veteran owners of small businesses, and veterans wishing to start a small business.

(f) (1) The Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program plays an important role in helping small businesses access public contract opportunities. Congress authorized the Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program in 1985 in an effort to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the government marketplace.

(2) The Procurement Technical Assistance Center Program is administered by the federal Department of Defense. The program provides matching funds through cooperative agreements with state and local governments and nonprofit organizations for the establishment of procurement technical assistance centers to provide procurement assistance.

(3) Procurement technical assistance centers are staffed with counselors experienced in government contracting and provide a wide range of services including classes and seminars, individual counseling, and easy access to bid opportunities, contract specifications, procurement histories, and other information necessary to successfully compete for government contracts.

(g) The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership was established in the 1980s as United States manufacturing faced increased competition from other countries. The United States faced key competitive challenges in consumer electronics, steel, and other industries. United States goods production processes were deemed comparatively outdated and innovation stagnated. The program is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, within the Department of Commerce.

(h) The Minority Business Development Center Program is administered by the federal Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. The program provides a range of services to minority-owned businesses seeking to expand to new markets, both foreign and domestic, as well as a wide range of technical assistance and business services, including business consulting, private equity and venture capital opportunities, facilitating joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.

(i) Nonprofit, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations, often funded by financial institutions, corporations, universities and colleges, corporate social responsibility programs, and philanthropy, have emerged to fill gaps in entrepreneurial education and training for microbusinesses and small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved business groups, and play a critical role in the local small business ecosystems.

(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to allow persons who are undocumented to receive consulting and training services and microgrants pursuant to this article. The Legislature finds and declares that this article is a state law that provides payments or assistance for persons who are undocumented within the meaning of Section 1621(d) of Title 8 of the United States Code.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 74, Sec. 10. (SB 151) Effective July 12, 2021.)

article: 7. California Small Business Development Technical Assistance Expansion Act of 2018


text:
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions in this section shall govern the construction of this article:

(a) “California Office of the Small Business Advocate,” “CalOSBA,” or “office,” means the office created pursuant to Section 12098.

(b) “California Small Business Development Center Program” is comprised of the five regional networks of small business development centers operating in the state pursuant to a cooperative agreement between the fiscal agent and the federal Small Business Administration.

(c) “Committed nonstate local cash match” means funding awarded by a nonstate local source to a small business technical assistance center through a letter of intent, notice of award, or cash deposit.

(d) “Director” means the individual designated as “director” pursuant to Section 12098.1.

(e) “Federal small business technical assistance center” means an organization that contracts with a federal funding partner to operate a small business development center, a women’s business center, a veterans business outreach center, a manufacturing extension partnership center, a minority business development center, a procurement technical assistance center, or a federally funded similar program within this state to support small businesses.

(f) “Federal funding partner” means the federal Small Business Administration, federal Department of Commerce, federal Department of Defense, or any other federal agency with the authority to administer a small business technical assistance program in this state.

(g) “Fiscal agent” means the entity with which a funding partner contracts to administer small business technical assistance programs within a state or district. The fiscal agent shall be directly accountable to the funding partner for all aspects of the specified small business technical assistance program, including staffing, programming, outreach, securing any required matching funds to draw down federal funds or private funding sources, and reporting performance outcomes to operate the program in the fiscal agent’s area of responsibility.

(h) “GO-Biz”” means the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

(i) “Local cash match” means nonfederal funds that are spent on eligible program costs.

(j) “Manufacturing extension partnership center” means a California contractor recognized by the federal National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-418), at which small manufacturers can obtain information and assistance on new technology acceleration, supply chain management, lean processing, export development, sustainable manufacturing practices, and other issues related to innovation.

(k) “Minority business development agency center” means an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Department of Commerce, from which a minority-owned small business may receive consulting and technical services to expand to new markets, both foreign and domestic.

(l) “Minority business development agency export center” means an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Department of Commerce, from which a minority-owned small business may receive consulting and technical services to increase access to capital, contracts, and foreign markets.

(m) “Private funding source” means any entity that makes grants, and includes corporate or private philanthropy or similarly established nongovernmental entities.

(n) “Procurement act” means Chapter 142 (commencing with Section 2411) of Part IV of Subtitle A of Title 10 of the United States Code, which governs the Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement program, administered by the federal Department of Defense.

(o) “Procurement technical assistance center” means an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Department of Defense, from which a small business owner may receive free training on a variety of topics, including starting, operating, and expanding a small business.

(p) “Program” means the California Small Business Development Technical Assistance Program created pursuant to Section 12100.63 and administered in accordance with this article.

(q) “Small business act” means the Small Business Development Center Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-302), and any amendments to that act, which authorizes the Small Business Development Center Program, administered by the federal Small Business Administration.

(r) “Small business development center” means to an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Small Business Administration, from which a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur may receive free one-on-one consulting and low at-cost training on a variety of topics, including starting, operating, and expanding a small business.

(s) “Small business technical assistance center” includes a federal small business technical assistance center or any established nonprofit community-based organization, exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the mission of which includes economic empowerment of underserved microbusinesses or small businesses and entrepreneurs and that operates entrepreneurial or small business development programs which provide free or low-cost services to California’s underserved businesses and entrepreneurs to enable their launch and sustained growth.

(t) “Small Business Advocate” is the individual designated pursuant to Section 12098.1.

(u) “Veteran’s business act” means Section 657b of Title 15 of the United States Code, which establishes the Office of Veterans Business Development and governs veteran business outreach centers, administered by the federal Small Business Administration.

(v) “Veterans business center” means an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Small Business Administration, from which a small business veteran owner or an aspiring veteran entrepreneur can receive free one-on-one consulting and low at-cost training on a variety of topics including starting, operating, and expanding a small business.

(w) “Women’s business act” means the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-533), and any amendments to that act, administered by the federal Small Business Administration.

(x) “Women’s business center” means an entity or physical location, recognized by the federal Small Business Administration, from which a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur can receive free one-on-one consulting and low at-cost training on a variety of topics including starting, operating, and expanding a small business.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 68, Sec. 15. (SB 193) Effective June 30, 2022.)


text:
(a) The California Small Business Technical Assistance Program is hereby created within the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

(b) The program shall be under the direct authority of the Small Business Advocate.

(c) The purpose of the program is to assist small businesses through free or low-cost one-on-one consulting and low-cost training by entering into grant agreements with one or more small business technical assistance centers.

(d) In implementing the program, the office shall consult with local, regional, federal, and other state public and private entities that share a similar mission to support the needs of small businesses in California.

(e) An applicant pursuant to this article shall be a small business technical assistance center, including a regional or statewide network, operating as a group or as an individual center.

(1) A small business technical assistance center operating as a group consisting of centers organized under a coordinating administrative or fiscal entity shall apply by submitting a single consolidated application to the office.

(2) A small business technical assistance center operating as an individual center shall apply by submitting a single application for that center to the office.

(f) The office shall administer the program to provide grants to expand the capacity of small business development technical assistance centers in California, administered by and primarily funded by federal agencies, but shall also include other nonprofit small business technical assistance centers, that provide one-on-one confidential consulting and training to small businesses and entrepreneurs in this state. Except as modified by subdivision (l), an applicant shall be eligible to participate in the program if the office determines that the applicant meets all of the following criteria:

(1) At the time of applying for funds, the applicant has an active contract with a federal funding partner to administer a program in this state, or has received a letter of intent from a federal funding partner to administer a federal small business technical assistance center program in this state within the next fiscal year. Alternatively, if the applicant is not a federally contracted small business technical assistance center, the applicant shall document a private funding source with similar intent and meet the criteria defined in subdivision (s) of Section 12100.62.

(2) (A) The applicant provided a plan of action and commitment to fully draw down all of the federal funds available using local cash match and state funds not described in Section 12100.65 during the duration of the award period. Alternatively, if the applicant is not a federally contracted small business technical assistance center, the applicant shall present a plan of action for drawing down any match required by those private funding sources using local cash match outside of state funds not described in Section 12100.65 during the award period. The office may request that the applicant provide details relating to the source and amount of these nonstate local match funds.

(B) If the applicant is a new small business technical assistance center, the applicant has demonstrated the ability to fully draw down substantially all federal or private funds available to it.

(3) The requested funding amount does not exceed the total federal award specified in the contract with the federal funding partner contract, or the private funding sources specified, but in any event is no less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

(4) The applicant seeks funding for one or more years, but no more than five years in duration.

(5) The grant agreements authorized by this article are not subject to the model contract provisions developed pursuant to Chapter 14.27 (commencing with Section 67325) of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of the Education Code.

(6) The applicant has a fiscal agent that is able to receive nonfederal funds.

(g) The office shall issue a request for proposal for grants under the program, which may contain the following information:

(1) The eligibility requirements described in subdivision (e).

(2) The available funding range.

(3) Funding instruments.

(4) The local cash match requirement described in subdivision (f).

(5) Operational capacity.

(6) The duration of the program.

(7) The start date of the program.

(8) Narrative requirements.

(9) Reporting requirements.

(10) Required attachments.

(11) Submission requirements.

(12) Application evaluation criteria.

(13) An announcement of an awards timeline.

(h) (1) The office shall evaluate applications received based on the following factors:

(A) The proposed use of the requested funding, including the specificity, measurability, and ability of the applicant to document and achieve the goals and objectives identified in its application.

(B) The proposed management strategy of the applicant to achieve its goals and objectives identified in its application.

(C) The applicant’s ability to complement and leverage the work of other local, state, federal, nonprofit, or private business technical assistance resource providers.

(D) The applicant’s historical performance with federal funding partner contracts or private funding sources and the strength of its fiscal controls.

(2) The office shall prioritize funding for applications that best meet the factors listed in paragraph (1) and give preference to applications that propose new or enhanced services to underserved business groups, including women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses, and businesses in low-wealth, rural, and disaster-impacted communities included in a state or federal emergency declaration or proclamation.

(i) State funds provided pursuant to the program shall be used to expand consulting and training services through existing and new centers, including satellite offices. State funds provided pursuant to the program shall not supplant nonstate local cash match dollars included in a federal small business technical assistance center’s plan described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) or in any nonfederal small business technical assistance center’s plan.

(j) Subject to appropriation of necessary funds by the Legislature, a supplemental grant program designated as the California Dream Fund Program shall be established by the office to provide microgrants as described in this subdivision. The microgrants shall be disbursed through California Small Business Technical Assistance Program grantees. California Small Business Technical Assistance Program applicants, as prescribed by the office, may also request state funds designated as the California Dream Fund Program moneys to provide microgrants up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to seed entrepreneurship and small business creation in underserved small business groups that are facing capital and opportunity gaps. These microgrants shall be made available to startup clients participating in intensive startup training and consulting with the center networks.

(k) For purposes of implementing the California Dream Fund Program, a person or entity shall not seek information that is unnecessary to determine eligibility, including whether the individual is undocumented. Information that may be collected from individuals participating in the California Dream Fund Program shall not constitute a record subject to disclosure under Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1.

(l) (1) If an applicant’s federal contract was canceled, frozen, or rescinded in the 2024–25 fiscal year, then for grants made in fiscal years 2025–26 to 2027–28, inclusive, the requirements in subdivision (f) are modified, as follows:

(A) The applicant may use its 2023–24 federal fiscal year contract to meet the requirement described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) to have an active contract with a federal funding partner to administer a program in this state.

(B) The requirement described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) shall be waived if the applicant meets all of the following criteria:

(i) The applicant received an award pursuant to this chapter as a federal small business technical assistance center during the 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25 funding rounds.

(ii) The office determines that the applicant successfully implemented their awarded contracts in 2023 and 2024.

(C) An applicant may use the total contract award amount in its 2023–24 federal fiscal year contract to meet the requirement described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (f) that the requested funding amount made in a grant pursuant to this chapter not exceed the total federal award specified in the contract with the federal funding partner contract.

(2) This subdivision shall not apply if the office determines that the contract was canceled, frozen, or rescinded based upon a finding and declaration of noncompliance.

(3) State funding adjustments authorized pursuant to this subdivision shall be temporary and limited.

(4) State funding provided pursuant to this subdivision may also be used for outreach efforts to ensure that small businesses, including those in underserved and rural communities, are aware of, and can access, technical assistance services.

(5) The office shall review and confirm that the applicant continues to meet state performance standards and provides high-quality, equitable technical assistance services. The office shall report its findings and actions to the Legislature. A report to be submitted pursuant to this paragraph shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(6) This subdivision shall remain operative until June 30, 2029.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 20, Sec. 26. (AB 137) Effective June 30, 2025.)


text: Upon appropriation of funds by the Legislature for the purpose of implementing this article, the office shall make grants to small business technical assistance centers, consistent with the requirements of Section 12100.63.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 74, Sec. 13. (SB 151) Effective July 12, 2021.)


text:
(a) Upon approval of an award to a small business technical assistance center pursuant to this article, the office shall issue to a notice of an award that includes all of the following:

(1) The amount of the award.

(2) A requirement that the small business technical assistance center periodically provide a performance report that includes all of the following information:

(A) The number of businesses consulted and trained.

(B) The amount of funds awarded.

(C) The size of businesses assisted based on the number of employees at the time those businesses were assisted, as reported by those assisted businesses, categorized based on the size of the assisted businesses, as determined by the office.

(D) The city and county in which any assisted businesses are located.

(E) Industry sectors of the businesses assisted, as reported by those businesses.

(F) A narrative description of how the funds awarded were used to expand services to underserved business groups, including women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses, and to help businesses and entrepreneurs to start, expand, facilitate investment, and create jobs in California, including in rural communities, low-wealth communities, and disaster-impacted areas included in a state or federal emergency declaration or proclamation.

(3) A requirement that the small business technical assistance center periodically provide a financial report that includes all of the following information:

(A) The name of any business consultant employed.

(B) The hourly rates of any business consultant employed.

(C) The number of hours worked by any business consultant employed.

(D) Costs for client trainings.

(E) Cost for administration and marketing.

(F) The duration of the assistance provided by the small business technical assistance center.

(G) The start date of the assistance provided by the small business technical assistance center.

(b) Each small business technical assistance center shall accept the reporting requirement in this section as a condition of receiving the grant.

(c) No more than 60 days following the completion of an agreement term pursuant to this article, a small business technical assistance center shall provide a final written performance and financial report to the office consistent with the requirements of this section.

(d) The director shall include the outcome of the program’s activities within the annual report required by Section 12098.4.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 74, Sec. 14. (SB 151) Effective July 12, 2021.)


text:
(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to assist small agricultural businesses in the State of California that are impacted by severe drought and flooding.

(b) This article shall govern the procedure by which qualified small businesses may obtain grant relief from the California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 45, Sec. 30. (AB 127) Effective July 10, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 12100.105.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 9.5. California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program


text:
For the purposes of this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Applicant” means any California taxpayer, including, but not limited to, an individual, corporation, nonprofit organization, cooperative, or partnership, who submits an application for the program.

(b) “California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program” or “program” means the grant program established by this article.

(c) “CalOSBA” or “office” means the Office of the Small Business Advocate within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

(d) “Decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits” means a decrease in annual gross receipts or gross profits when comparing the 2022 taxable year to the 2019 taxable year, as documented by tax returns or Internal Revenue Service Form 990.

(e) “Director” means the Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate.

(f) “Fiscal agent” means a nonprofit or private institution capable of online and mobile application development, customer support, document validation, impact analysis, grant agreements, and awards disbursement, as well as marketing, engagement, and strategic partnerships for implementation.

(g) “Full-time employee” has the same meaning as in subdivision (c) of Section 515 of the Labor Code.

(h) (1) “Qualified small business” means a business that meets all of the following criteria, as confirmed by the office or fiscal agent through review of revenue declines, other relief funds received, credit history, tax returns, payroll records, and bank account validation:

(A) Is a sole proprietor, independent contractor, C-corporation, S-corporation, cooperative, limited liability company, partnership, nonprofit, or limited partnership, domiciled in California, with 100 or fewer full-time employees in the 2022 and 2023 taxable years.

(B) Began operating in the state prior to January 1, 2020.

(C) Is currently active and operating.

(D) Has been affected by severe drought according to the United States Department of Agriculture drought monitor or is within or serves a county that has a state or federal disaster declaration for flooding.

(E) Provides organizing documents, including a federal tax return or Internal Revenue Service Form 990, and a copy of official filings with the Secretary of State or with the local municipality, as applicable, including, but not limited to, articles of incorporation, certificate of organization, fictitious name of registration, or government-issued business license.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), “qualified small business” shall not include any of the following:

(A) Businesses without a physical presence in the state.

(B) Governmental entities, other than Native American tribes, or elected official offices.

(C) Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities, regardless of whether the entity is registered as a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or 501(c)(19) nonprofit entity or other nonprofit entity.

(D) Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their tax returns.

(E) Financial institutions or businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factoring companies.

(F) Businesses engaged in any activity that is unlawful under federal, state, or local law.

(G) Businesses that restrict patronage for any reason other than capacity.

(H) Speculative businesses.

(I) Businesses with any owner of greater than 10 percent of the equity interest in it who meets one or more of the following criteria:

(i) The owner has, within the prior three years, been convicted, or had a civil judgment rendered against the owner, or has had commenced any form of parole or probation, including probation before judgment, for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state, or local public transaction or contract under a public transaction, violation of federal or state antitrust or procurement statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.

(ii) The owner is presently indicted for, or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by, a federal, state, or local governmental entity, with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in clause (i).

(J) Affiliated companies, as described in Section 121.103 of Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as it read on August 1, 2022.

(K) Other businesses to be determined by the office consistently with the requirements and intent of this subdivision.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 45, Sec. 31. (AB 127) Effective July 10, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 12100.105.)

article: 9.5. California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program


text: If the office determines that the grantee has failed to meet the criteria for a qualified small business under Section 12100.101, or for a small farmer or socially disadvantaged farmer under Section 12100.103, as may be applicable, a grant may be recaptured, in whole or in part, in accordance with Article 8 (commencing with Section 19294) of Chapter 5 of Part 10.2 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 570, Sec. 3. (AB 157) Effective September 27, 2022. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 12100.105.)


text:
(a) The California Small Agricultural Business Drought and Flood Relief Grant Program is hereby created within the office.

(b) The program shall be under the direct authority of the director.

(c) The purpose of the program is to provide grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that have been affected by severe drought and flooding.

(d) The office may contract with a fiscal agent, or amend an existing contract with a fiscal agent to meet the requirements of this article, to carry out the programs at a rate of no more than 5 percent of administrative and program funds appropriated by the Legislature for purposes of this article.

(e) Subject to appropriation of funds for grants by the Legislature, the office shall allocate grants to qualified small agricultural businesses that meet the requirements of this article in one or more rounds.

(f) (1) The office shall conduct marketing and outreach for equitable awareness and the distribution of grants that includes all of the following:

(A) Engaging multiple partners, including, but not limited to, business and nonprofit associations, chambers of commerce, economic development corporations, and other nonprofit mission-based organizations, and organizations with nonprofit expertise.

(B) Providing access to technical assistance services covering all counties in the state and in multiple languages to reach non-English-speaking individuals in all counties in the state.

(C) Building awareness, including those in underserved and underbanked communities, by collaborating with multiple community groups to distribute program information, provide applicant access through multiple branded partner portals, or advertising or social media outreach through owned, paid, or earned media channels.

(2) For the qualified small agricultural business portion of the program, the office shall conduct outreach in advance of open application rounds for a minimum of three weeks prior to opening each application round. Following each application round, the fiscal agent shall assess service gaps and address outreach deficiencies as necessary to improve program equity.

(3) The office or fiscal agent shall provide information on how to connect to additional support resources to each applicant, whether or not the applicant is selected as a grant recipient.

(g) Program grant funds allocated in the Budget Act of 2022 related to drought impacts shall be administered as follows:

(1) A total of 10 percent of grant funds shall be held for qualified small agricultural businesses that do not file 2022 tax year returns until 2024.

(2) A total of 20 percent of grant funds shall be allocated in one or more rounds of grants for small and socially disadvantaged farmers who are qualified small agricultural businesses pursuant to the following:

(A) Grants shall be awarded in the following amounts:

(i) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 10 percent or more and less than 30 percent.

(ii) Sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 30 percent or more and less than 40 percent.

(iii) Eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 40 percent or more and less than 50 percent.

(iv) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 50 percent or more.

(B) The office or fiscal agent shall allocate up to 5 percent of program funds to nonprofit entities, tribal governments, resource conservation districts, or other entities with experience providing technical assistance to small farms or socially disadvantaged farmers to provide services to help maximize the participation of small farms or socially disadvantaged farmers in the one or more rounds of grants authorized by this subdivision.

(C) For the purposes of this subdivision:

(i) “Small farm” has the meaning described in the publication Updating the ERS Farm Typology, dated April 2013, issued by Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

(ii) “Socially disadvantaged farmer” has the meaning provided by subdivision (b) of Section 512 of the Food and Agricultural Code, as it read on August 1, 2022.

(D) For the purposes of this subdivision, the office or fiscal agent may contract with other fiscal agents to provide technical assistance.

(E) The office shall consult with the Farm Equity Advisor at the Department of Food and Agriculture for purposes of implementing this subdivision.

(3) (A) The remaining percentage of grant funds shall be allocated to qualified small agricultural businesses most impacted by severe drought, including, but not limited to, those that are identified as in the following 2022 North American Industry Classification System codes:

(i) Codes beginning with 115 – Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry.

(ii) Codes beginning with 311 – Food Manufacturing.

(iii) 424910 – Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.

(iv) 444240 – Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers.

(v) 484220 – Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local (local agricultural products trucking).

(vi) Codes beginning with 1121 – Cattle Ranching and Farming.

(B) Grants shall be awarded in the following amounts:

(i) Sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 30 percent or more and less than 40 percent.

(ii) Eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 40 percent or more and less than 50 percent.

(iii) One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for applicants with a decline in annual gross receipts or gross profits of 50 percent or more.

(4) Grant moneys awarded under this subdivision shall only be used for costs to maintain the recipient business through the drought, including the following:

(A) Employee expenses, including payroll costs, health care benefits, paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums.

(B) Working capital and overhead, including rent, utilities, mortgage principal, and interest payments, but excluding mortgage prepayments, and debt obligations, including principal and interest, incurred before the onset of severe drought.

(C) Any other drought-related expenses not already covered through grants, forgivable loans, or other relief through state, county, or city programs.

(h) Program grant funds allocated in the Budget Act of 2023 related to storm flooding impacts shall be administered as follows:

(1) Grant funds shall be allocated to qualified small agricultural businesses impacted by flooding including, but not limited to, those that are identified as in the following 2022 North American Industry Classification System codes:

(A) Codes beginning with 115 – Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry.

(B) Codes beginning with 1121 – Cattle Ranching and Farming.

(C) 424910 – Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.

(D) 444240 – Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers.

(E) 484220 – Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local (local agricultural products trucking).

(2) Three tiers of grant amounts shall be relative to revenue levels for qualified small agricultural businesses, to be determined by CalOSBA.

(3) Grant moneys awarded under this subdivision may be used for costs to maintain the recipient business through flooding, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Employee expenses, including payroll costs, health care benefits, paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums.

(B) Working capital and overhead, including rent, utilities, mortgage principal, and interest payments, but excluding mortgage prepayments and debt obligations, including principal and interest, incurred before the onset of flooding.

(C) Any other flooding-related expenses not already covered through grants, forgivable loans, or other relief through state, county, or city programs.

(i) Applicants may apply for relief grants under subdivisions (g) and (h).

(j) (1) Applicants may self-identify race, gender, and ethnicity. Within 30 business days of the close of the application period, the office shall post the aggregate data, as available, including by legislative district. Within 45 business days of the close of the application period, the office shall post information on grant amounts actually awarded as it becomes available. All information shall be posted on the office’s internet website and the office shall provide an electronic copy of the information to the relevant fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature.

(2) On or before December 31, 2026, the office shall report to the Legislature the number of grants and dollar amounts awarded for each of the following categories:

(A) Race and ethnicity.

(B) Women-owned.

(C) Veteran-owned.

(D) Located in a disadvantaged community pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 12100.83.

(E) Located in a rural area.

(F) County.

(G) State Senate district.

(H) State Assembly district.

(3) Information report to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be provided in conformance with the requirements of Section 9795.

(k) The fiscal agent, or the office if it does not contract with a fiscal agent, shall issue Internal Revenue Service Forms 1099 to grant recipients and otherwise adhere to tax reporting guidelines, regardless of whether the grants are excluded from gross income for purposes of the Personal Income Tax Law (Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code) or the Corporation Tax Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 45, Sec. 32. (AB 127) Effective July 10, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 12100.105.)


text: The office and the Franchise Tax Board may adopt regulations to implement this article. The Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1) shall not apply to any regulation, standard, criterion, procedure, determination, rule, notice, guideline, or any other guidance established or issued by the office or the Franchise Tax Board pursuant to this article.


text: This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 45, Sec. 33. (AB 127) Effective July 10, 2023. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, by its own provisions. Note: Repeal affects Article 9.5, commencing with Section 12100.100.)


text:
(a) The Energy Unit is hereby created within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

(b) The Governor shall appoint a deputy director who shall have direct authority over the Energy Unit and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(c) The purpose of the Energy Unit is to accelerate the planning, financing, and execution of critical energy infrastructure projects that are necessary for the state to reach its climate, energy, and sustainability policy goals.

(d) The Energy Unit shall work with energy project developers and load-serving entities, as defined in Section 380 of the Public Utilities Code, to identify barriers to construction and development of critical energy infrastructure projects and to make recommendations to relevant state agencies and local governments on how to overcome those barriers.

(e) The Energy Unit shall create a working group that includes local and federal partners to address land use issues related to critical energy infrastructure projects.

(f) In organizing and managing the Energy Unit, the deputy director shall establish and implement a process to coordinate between the state’s climate and energy agencies in order to identify the critical energy infrastructure projects that will form the operational mandate of the Energy Unit.

(g) In operating the Energy Unit, the deputy director shall cooperate with local, regional, federal, and California public and private businesses and investors to eliminate barriers to the completion of critical energy infrastructure projects.

(h) The Energy Unit, in coordination with the Public Utilities Commission, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, the Independent System Operator, the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, and other agencies and external parties as appropriate and necessary, shall establish a Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator to develop a financing and development strategy for eligible transmission projects to receive California Transmission Accelerator financing under Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 63049.71) of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7. The accelerator shall take the necessary steps within its purview to accelerate the development and deployment of those projects to maximize ratepayer savings.

(i) The Energy Unit’s work shall complement, not conflict with, efforts by the state’s climate and energy agencies.

(j) This section, and the Energy Unit’s implementation of this section, does not change the regulatory authority of the state’s climate and energy agencies.

(k) (1) On or before February 1 of each year, the Energy Unit shall annually submit a report to the relevant policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature that includes all of the following information:

(A) The infrastructure priorities identified for purposes of the prior calendar year.

(B) The constituencies coordinated with in order to advance those infrastructure priorities in the prior calendar year.

(C) The strategies implemented and steps taken to address barriers to and advance critical energy infrastructure projects in the prior calendar year.

(D) Any recommendations to the Legislature that would accelerate the Energy Unit’s progress.

(2) A report to be submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 119, Sec. 4. (SB 254) Effective September 19, 2025.)

article: 10. Energy Unit

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 10. Energy Unit


text:
(a) The Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator established pursuant to Section 12100.110 shall coordinate, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section but no later than December 31, 2026, the state’s ongoing activities related to transmission planning and development, in order to minimize duplicative efforts and efficiently achieve the objectives of this section and Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 63049.71) of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7. The accelerator shall sequence its activities in identifying and developing eligible transmission projects in a manner consistent with the Independent System Operator’s procedures and requirements and shall provide maximum transparency. Core objectives of the accelerator shall be to drive efficiencies in state transmission development efforts, coordinate existing workstreams to maximize effectiveness, and minimize duplicative activity across all relevant venues.

(b) The accelerator shall ensure that the accelerator projects meet the following criteria:

(1) Have at least one interconnection point within the Independent System Operator balancing authority area.

(2) The applicant or its affiliates have previously completed a transmission project in the state.

(3) Support new high voltage transmission facilities that are subject to the competitive solicitation process administered by the Independent System Operator that are consistent with the state’s reliability and greenhouse gas policy objectives.

(4) Reduce its cost recovery requests by the amount of savings achieved through tax credits received under Sections 17039 and 23036 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(5) Commit to requesting a revenue requirement at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that reflects only its actual capital structure and the actual cost of capital to minimize the costs collected through the transmission access charge.

(6) Financial considerations, as determined by the accelerator.

(7) Consistency with state policy as determined by the state agencies coordinating with the accelerator.

(c) The accelerator shall evaluate the results of the Independent System Operator’s transmission planning process and shall select which accelerator projects have the opportunity to receive public financing using the California Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund established under Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 63049.71) of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7. The selection of accelerator projects under this section shall happen within 60 days of the release of the Independent System Operator’s Transmission Planning Process document that identifies competitive transmission projects.

(d) The accelerator shall maintain a list of qualified public entities interested in participating in eligible transmission projects.

(e) The accelerator shall continuously monitor project development performance and engage to support effective implementation using all appropriate powers and authorities available to the accelerator and coordinating agencies. These actions may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Engaging local public and private actors relevant to project development success.

(2) Supporting efforts of the project applicant to secure necessary permits and other relevant authorities.

(3) Leveraging state incentives and supply chain facilitation services to ensure timely and cost-effective acquisition of physical components of the project.

(f) For purposes of this section, the definitions in Section 63049.71 shall apply.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 119, Sec. 5. (SB 254) Effective September 19, 2025.)

article: 10. Energy Unit


text:
(a) The accelerator shall develop a public-private partnership plan to develop financing options that maximize debt financing to reduce overall capital costs and facilitate public-private partnership development of eligible transmission projects to achieve ratepayer savings.

(b) The plan shall do both of the following:

(1) Evaluate the role of the accelerator to identify and develop public-private partnerships and matching participating parties with public sponsors, including, but not limited to, the accelerator designating a public entity to support the implementation of eligible transmission projects under Article 10.5 (commencing with Section 63049.71) of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 6.7 before the Independent System Operator receives bids and determines the outcome of the competitive bidding process.

(2) Effectuate eligible transmission project development that is consistent with the Independent System Operator’s procedures and requirements.

(c) The accelerator shall submit its public private partnership plan to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2027.

(d) For purposes of this section, the definitions in Section 63049.71 shall apply.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 119, Sec. 6. (SB 254) Effective September 19, 2025.)

article: 10. Energy Unit


text: This article shall be known and may be cited as the Local Government Budget Sustainability Fund.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 68, Sec. 24. (SB 193) Effective June 30, 2022. Repealed as of June 30, 2028, pursuant to Section 12100.125.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 11. Local Government Budget Sustainability Fund


text: All efforts funded under this article are intended to support and be aligned with other initiatives in the State of California to support economic and workforce diversification, including, but not limited to, the Community Economic Resilience Fund. This article is intended to focus on providing project support for county governments in areas of the state facing high unemployment and high poverty that demonstrate a commitment to advancing a more climate-resilient local economy and pursuing economic diversification initiatives and projects that will provide opportunities for revenue stability. Funds provided under this article are intended to enable county governments to pursue a range of projects that have the potential to diversify their industry presence and create high road jobs, while creating additional potential sources of county revenues over time.

article: 11. Local Government Budget Sustainability Fund


text:
(a) The Local Government Budget Sustainability Fund is hereby created within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be available for purposes of this article.

(b) The purpose of the program is to provide grants on a competitive basis to local entities that meet the requirements of the article and, when possible, prioritizing those that have the ability to leverage projects that are affiliated with a federal, state, or local program. The success of each grant shall be evaluated on a project-specific basis.

(c) Grants shall be awarded to eligible local entities through at least one round of grants per fiscal year.

(d) The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development shall develop, in consultation with other state agencies and departments, criteria for the selection of grant recipients, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Applicants shall be limited to county governments in high-unemployment and high-poverty areas. For purposes of this grant program, high-unemployment and high-poverty areas are defined as geographic areas with a poverty rate or geographic rate that is 150 percent of the California statewide poverty rate, per the most recently updated data available from the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates on or after January 1, 2022. Counties within geographic areas that fall under the high-unemployment and high-poverty designation as of July 1, 2022 are eligible for the duration of the program. Counties within geographic areas that fall under either the high-unemployment or high-poverty designations as of July 1, 2022, shall be eligible for the program if moneys are available following rounds designated for applicants that are county governments in high-unemployment and high-poverty areas.

(2) Applicants shall be participants in their region’s respective Community Economic Resilience Fund planning table.

(3) Applicants shall explain current challenges to local revenue sustainability for the next six years, and specifically challenges that pose a risk to the ability of applicants to continue existing government services.

(4) Applicants shall explain how funding secured from this program will be used for specific staffing needs to facilitate project identification, execution, construction, and implementation.

(5) Applicants shall explain how funding secured from this program will be used to support its ability to pursue projects that would advance one of the following five categories:

(A) Process improvement projects, which are defined as permit streamlining, inspections and siting review streamlining, business and community resource toolkits, or technological improvement and modernization, among others.

(B) Economic diversification and stability projects, such as those included in existing Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies, other regional economic development strategies, projects identified and prioritized by the regional high road transition collaboratives, which are defined as construction and nonconstruction opportunities aimed at new and emerging industry clusters that leverage workforce transition and skills generation, additional General Fund revenue sources, or construction and nonconstruction efforts to create new climate related accelerators or incubators and investment centers. Nonconstruction includes research, planning, strategic development and other predevelopment related expenses. Construction includes materials, labor, acquisition and final construction and other related activities.

(C) Workforce development projects, which are defined as construction and nonconstruction opportunities for new and existing workforce programs that will provide training, upskilling, or reskilling and can provide additional support services for participants specifically tied to economic diversification and stability opportunities.

(D) Existing process improvement, economic diversification and stability, and workforce development projects, as described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, which have defined awards from federal agencies and include local jurisdiction matching funds requirements. Projects with a clear nexus to projects described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, shall be considered.

(E) (i) Project identification and planning resources.

(ii) “Project identification and planning resources” means moneys intended to build staff specifically designed for staffing increases for the recognized economic development departments within the eligible counties to perform the actions required by this article, including for purposes of identifying, defining, applying for grants for, developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, as described in Section 303.7 of Title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and developing projects described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive.

(iii) Funding provided pursuant to this subparagraph shall not exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000) in total to all applicants over the duration of the program.

(iv) A request made pursuant to this subparagraph shall include information on the applicable job requirements and skills needed to identify, propose, define, apply for grants for, and develop projects associated with subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive.

(6) If an applicant applies to receive funding pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (5), the applicant shall provide details pertaining to projects that would be supported with these funds, including, but not limited to, budget, staffing, contracting, materials, equipment, and other expenses.

(7) Applicants shall include information pertaining to how projects are attributive to climate-resilience.

(8) Applicants shall agree to initiation meetings with office staff for resource identification, project scoping, industry engagement, regulatory agency engagement, other planning, and alignment with administration priorities.

(9) (A) Applicants shall be encouraged to utilize funds as match funding to other established state, federal, philanthropic, or other grant opportunities. Projects including a federal, local, or philanthropic match shall be prioritized by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

(B) Applicants shall engage with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development during development, and prior to, submission of an application that includes a local match. For projects where the local match funding requirements exceed the funding capacity of the program, the excess requirements shall be funded by the local jurisdiction providing the associated local match.

(C) Applicants shall provide detailed information, if they have match funding, on the matching funds available, in-kind matching funds budget details, grant application and submission details, grant award notices, and any other information that indicates the applicant’s receipt of match funding.

(10) Applicants shall provide a detailed assessment of the staffing requirements related to project applicants, including, but not limited to, duties and responsibilities, salary and benefits, working titles, reporting structure, and duration.

(11) Applicants shall include countywide government employment data as a part of an application.

(e) Grant recipients shall meet with the office periodically, at least bimonthly, to ensure projects are meeting specified benchmarks associated with climate resilience, business services process improvement, economic diversification, and long-term economic stability. If key indicators of progress are not being met, the office may take actions to terminate the grant agreement and have unspent dollars allocated to the project returned. The office may require reimbursement for allocated dollars that have been spent if it determines dollars have been spent improperly or in a manner that is outside the scope of the agreement.

(f) The office shall report to the Legislature each calendar year the number of grants and dollar amounts by local entity. The report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795.


text:
The office shall evaluate and prioritize grants, to the extent permissible under state and federal equal protection laws, in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) Assessment of proposal details submitted, including, but not limited to, budget information, staffing requirements, positions, project goals, timeliness, and, if applicable, industry partners, workforce and labor partners, trade associations, and local businesses.

(b) Assessment of coalition-building capacity, as evidenced by letters of support that speak to the potential community benefit of projects from labor, business, community, city government, and other stakeholders, including, but not limited to, economic development, philanthropy, education, and workforce partners.

(c) Other qualitative and quantitative measures determined by the specific project or grant application utilizing these funds for required match funding.


text:
Eligible activities for grant funds shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(a) Staffing requirements, position classifications, and wages. Salary increases outside the scope of bargaining agreements are explicitly prohibited from utilizing these funds.

(b) Project costs including, but not limited to, budget, staffing, contracting, consulting, materials, equipment, and other expenses.

(c) Match funding for other federal, state, philanthropic, or other grant opportunities with a required match. Programs without a match requirement that have specific scoring improvement through match funding shall be prioritized.


text: This article shall remain in effect until June 30, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 68, Sec. 24. (SB 193) Effective June 30, 2022. Repealed as of June 30, 2028, by its own provisions. Note: Repeal affects Article 11, commencing with 12100.120.)


text:
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Office,” notwithstanding Section 12096.1, means the Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Office continued in existence pursuant to Section 12100.151.

(b) “ZEV Market Development Strategy” means the Zero-Emissions Vehicle Market Development Strategy developed pursuant to Executive Order No. N-79-20.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 372, Sec. 2. (SB 1251) Effective January 1, 2023.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 14. Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Office


text:
(a) (1) The zero-emission vehicle division within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development is hereby continued in existence within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development as the Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Office. The office shall continue to be administered by a deputy director appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor.

(2) The office shall steer the development of a shared, cross-agency definition of equity, and set an equity agenda for the deployment of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, the supporting infrastructure, and workforce development.

(3) Until January 1, 2028, the Zero-Emission Vehicle Equity Advocate is hereby established within the office. The advocate shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.

(4) The office shall serve as a point of contact for stakeholders to provide concerns and suggestions related to the state’s progress in equitably achieving the state’s zero-emission vehicle deployment goals.

(5) The office shall provide information and coordinate policy and procedural changes with relevant state entities, including, but not limited to, the State Air Resources Board, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, the Transportation Agency, and the California Transportation Commission, as needed, to ensure consistency among equity definitions, criteria, and targets used in the state’s zero-emission vehicle and infrastructure programs and to ensure best practices related to equity are incorporated into state planning for zero-emission vehicle deployment, funding, and program design.

(6) In order to facilitate alignment of equity goals, the office may convene meetings or task forces that include state agencies, local government, utilities, labor, community-based organizations, air pollution control districts, air quality management districts, or private sector actors key to advancing zero-emission transportation goals.

(b) (1) The office shall develop and adopt an equity action plan as part of the ZEV Market Development Strategy that considers optimizing for equity benefits in zero-emission vehicle deployment.

(2) The equity action plan shall include all of the following:

(A) Recommendations on actionable steps and metrics to measure and improve access to zero-emission vehicles, public and private charging infrastructure, and zero-emission vehicle transportation options in low-income, disadvantaged, and historically underserved communities, including, but not limited to, shared vehicles and other alternatives to single-owner vehicle ownership.

(B) Recommendations to advance equity by reducing pollution driven by the transportation sector and related industries in low-income, disadvantaged, and historically underserved communities, including emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and by supporting an equitable zero-emission vehicle industry and workforce.

(C) Strategies implemented and steps taken to embed equity in the state’s overall ZEV Market Development Strategy.

(3) The office shall assess progress towards the equity action plan as part of the update to the ZEV Market Development Strategy and notify the relevant policy committees of the Legislature of the information provided in that update. This assessment shall include, but is not limited to, metrics tracking both of the following:

(A) State funding spent toward the deployment of zero-emission vehicle ownership and supporting infrastructure in disadvantaged and low-income communities, and the number and type of vehicles, including light-, medium-, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles, state and federal subsidies for zero-emission vehicles, different ownership structures for zero-emission vehicles, or charging infrastructure deployed with this funding.

(B) State funding for multiyear projects that advance deployment of zero-emission vehicles in communities identified as disadvantaged communities prioritized by severity of air pollution from mobile sources, lack of charging infrastructure and electric vehicles, and transportation or transit deserts. The office shall also identify where projects are located.

(4) In developing the equity action plan, the office shall coordinate and partner with community organizations, local entities, state agencies, and other private and public stakeholders to steer an equitable zero-emission vehicle deployment. The office shall include information on the constituencies coordinated with to develop or advance equity actions in zero market development in the equity action plan.

(c) (1) As a part of the office’s development of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Guidebook or any subsequent updates, the office shall develop a model permitting checklist, model zoning ordinances, and best practices for permit costs and permit review timelines to help local governments permit curbside charging stations.

(2) As part of the process described in paragraph (1), the office shall, at a minimum, consult with local governments, electric vehicle service providers, and utilities.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 567, Sec. 1. (AB 2427) Effective January 1, 2025.)

article: 14. Zero-Emission Vehicle Market Development Office


text: This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Civic Media Act.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 649, Sec. 1. (SB 155) Effective October 11, 2025.)

article: 15. California Civic Media Act

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 15. California Civic Media Act


text:
(a) The California Civic Media Program is hereby established under the administration of the office in the advancement of the following goals:

(1) Enhancing the public good through supporting a robust and dynamic California press corps and reinforcing the vital role of journalism in our democracy.

(2) Empowering Californians by fostering greater understanding of and access to information about their communities and governmental structures.

(3) Ensuring the sustainability of existing and new online publications with an emphasis on community-facing journalism.

(4) Supporting California-based state and local news organizations, particularly those serving underserved and underrepresented communities.

(5) Strengthening journalism that facilitates social integration, promotes civic engagement, and addresses inequalities among underserved communities.

(b) (1) The director shall establish and appoint a nine-person advisory board, consisting of the following members:

(A) Two at-large members.

(B) Two members representing the California News Publishers Association, or a successor entity.

(C) One member representing the American Community Media, or a successor entity.

(D) One member representing the Local Independent Online News Publishers, or a successor entity.

(E) One member representing the Latino Media Collaborative, or a successor entity.

(F) One member representing the California Black Media, or a successor entity.

(G) One member representing the Media Guild of the West, or a successor entity.

(2) Each entity described in subparagraphs (B) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) may recommend candidates to the director.

article: 15. California Civic Media Act


text:
(a) (1) There is hereby created in the State Treasury the California Civic Media Fund to be administered by the office. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, all moneys deposited in the fund, including state General Fund appropriations and private bequeaths, donations, gifts, or grants, are continuously appropriated to the office for purposes of this article. Public moneys shall be accounted for separately from private moneys in the fund.

(2) (A) The office may accept contributions from private sources, including private for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

(B) All contributions provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be deposited in the fund.

(b) The office shall direct the expenditure of public moneys in the fund, consistent with the purposes and subject to the restrictions set forth in this article.

(c) The office may solicit recommendations from the advisory board, but shall retain sole discretion and control over the expenditure of public moneys in the fund, consistent with the requirements of this article.

(d) (1) The advisory board shall make recommendations to the office on allocations of funds contributed by a private party. If the private funds are held by a third-party administrator designated by the donor, the office shall provide instructions to the administrator for the expenditure of those funds.

(2) In considering the allocation of moneys from private sources, the advisory board may seek to allocate moneys to publishers on a pro rata basis based on the number of journalists employed by a publisher in the state, with the goal of increasing the total number of journalists employed in the state.

(e) (1) No more than 7.5 percent of the fund may be used for the administration of this article.

(2) Public moneys in the fund shall be expended in furtherance of the purposes of this article.

(3) The office may enter into an agreement with third parties for purposes of administering programs funded, in whole or in part, with public moneys allocated from the fund.

(4) In expending public moneys in the fund, the office shall prioritize allocations to support local and community news organizations.

(5) In any fiscal year, the total expenditure of public money from the California Civic Media Fund shall not exceed the total aggregate expenditure of funds from private sources, whether contributed to the Fund, or contributed to a third-party administrator that holds and disburses those funds pursuant to an agreement with the office.

article: 15. California Civic Media Act


text: This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equity Project (BRIDGE Project).

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 199, Sec. 3. (SB 447) Effective September 13, 2023.)

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 1.6. Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development > 16. Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equity Project


text:
(a) There is hereby established, within the office, the BRIDGE Project.

(b) The purpose of the BRIDGE Project is to raise public awareness and promote civil rights and antidiscrimination through education, advertising, and marketing activities.

(c) There is hereby created the BRIDGE Project Fund within the office. Moneys in the account shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this article. The office is authorized to receive donations into the fund.

(d) The office may contract with a private, nonprofit agency that is the leading producer of public service advertisements and is able to use the services of volunteer advertising agencies and donated media to conduct the marketing activities required by this article.

(e) Any media campaign funded pursuant to this article is subject to all of the following requirements:

(1) A media campaign funded pursuant to this article shall not promote a political purpose or feature in any manner the image or voice of any elected public official or candidate for elected office, or directly represent the views of any elected public official or candidate for elected office.

(2) Media campaigns may be on a national scale and, to the extent possible, may target audiences in a state or states, or a media market that includes a state or states that have enacted a law that voids or repeals, or has the effect of voiding or repealing, an existing state or local protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or have enacted a law that authorizes or requires discrimination against same-sex couples or their families or on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, including any law that creates an exemption to antidiscrimination laws in order to permit discrimination against same-sex couples or their families or on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

(3) Media campaigns funded pursuant to this article shall be designed to educate the public and promote antidiscrimination, issues LGBTQ+ communities face, civil rights, acceptance and inclusion of all people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability.

(f) The office shall convene an advisory committee of no more than 10 members to advise the office on BRIDGE Project media campaigns, including, but not limited to, the content of media campaigns, emerging issues relevant to the purpose of the BRIDGE Project, evaluation of current and potential campaigns, and strategic outreach to communities affected by the campaign. The advisory committee members shall include LGBTQ+ advocates, marketing and public relations professionals, and representatives from research institutions as necessary to develop and evaluate media campaigns funded pursuant to this article. The advisory committee members shall be determined by the director.

(g) Nothing in this article shall be interpreted to require a state employee or officer to travel to a state or states that have enacted a law that would discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or that has the effect of prohibiting conduct or activities otherwise protected under the laws of this state.

(h) When implementing this article, the office may consult with any state agency with expertise relating to the purpose of the BRIDGE Project, as outlined in subdivision (b).

article: 16. Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equity Project


text: The Lieutenant Governor may appoint and, subject to the approval of the Director of Finance, fix the salaries of one secretary and such clerical assistants as the Lieutenant Governor deems necessary for the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 33. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

chapter: 2. The Lieutenant Governor

article: 1. Duties

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 2. The Lieutenant Governor > 1. Duties


text:
(a) To assist in the discharge of the duties of the Secretary of State’s office, the Secretary of State may appoint one Assistant Secretary of State, whose powers, duties, and liabilities shall be those of a deputy, and any deputies and clerical, expert, technical, and other assistants necessary for the proper conduct of the Secretary of State’s office. The Assistant Secretary of State and all deputies are civil executive officers.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, but consistent with Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution and with subdivision (a) of this section, the Governor shall appoint four employees of the Secretary of State’s office, who may be nominated by the Secretary of State, and who are exempt from state civil service.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 34. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

chapter: 3. Secretary of State

article: 1. General

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 3. Secretary of State > 1. General


text:
The Secretary of State shall appoint a competent person to the position of Chief of Archives.

In case of the appointee’s absence or inability to perform the duties of the Chief of Archives, the Secretary of State shall designate some other competent person to act in the Chief of Archive’s place.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 35. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 1. General


text: The Secretary of State shall keep a correct record of the official acts of the legislative and executive departments of the government, and shall, when required, lay the same and all matters relative thereto before either branch of the Legislature, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 36. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties

path: 2. GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA > 3. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT > 3. Secretary of State > 2. Duties


text:
The Secretary of State is charged with custody of:

(a) The enrolled copy of the Constitution.

(b) All acts and resolutions passed by the Legislature.

(c) The Journals of the Legislature.

(d) The Great Seal.

(e) All books, records, deeds, parchments, maps, and papers, kept or deposited in the Secretary of State’s office pursuant to law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 37. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: The Secretary of State shall attend at every session of the Legislature, for the purpose of receiving bills and resolutions and perform such other duties as may be devolved upon the Secretary of State by resolution of the two houses, or either of them.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 38. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: The Secretary of State shall keep a register and attest the official acts of the Governor and shall affix the Great Seal, with the Secretary’s attestation, to commissions, pardons, and other public instruments, to which the official signature of the Governor is required.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 39. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: The Secretary of State shall receive and record in proper books the official bonds of all officers whose bonds are required by law to be filed with the Secretary of State.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 40. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: The Secretary of State shall record all conveyances made to the state, except (1) evidences of title acquired for state highway purposes and retained by the Department of Transportation, and (2) conveyances of tax-sold property.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1974, Ch. 41.)

article: 2. Duties


text: The Secretary of State shall certify and declare the result of all elections upon a question submitted to the electors of the state by either initiative or referendum petition filed in the Secretary’s office and make official declaration of the vote upon each question.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 41. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: Within 100 days after the final adjournment of each session of the Legislature, the Secretary of State shall deliver to the State Printing Office the Secretary’s certificate showing what acts, or sections, or parts of acts of the Legislature are delayed from going into effect by referendum petition properly certified and filed in the Secretary’s office.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 42. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text:
Within 60 days after the day on which a general election is held throughout the State, the Secretary of State shall deliver to the State Printing Office the Secretary’s certificate showing:

(a) What laws or constitutional amendments, proposed by initiative petition and approved by the people, have gone into operation, and the date of going into operation.

(b) The result of all elections upon a question submitted to the electors of the State by initiative or referendum petition within the preceding two years.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 43. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text: On demand, the Secretary of State shall furnish, to a person paying the fees therefor, a certified copy of all or any part of a law, record, or other instrument filed, deposited, or recorded in the Secretary’s office.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 44. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties


text:
(a) When not inconsistent with other provisions of law, in lieu of filing or recording documents presented in paper format, the Secretary of State may adopt rules and regulations to authorize the electronic filing, including filing by facsimile, of a document required to be filed with the Secretary of State under an act administered by the Secretary of State. The rules and regulations may set forth standards for the acceptance of a signature in a form other than the proper handwriting of the person filing a document that requires the person’s signature. A signature on a document electronically filed or filed by facsimile in accordance with those rules and regulations is prima facie evidence for all purposes that the document actually was signed by the person whose signature appears on the electronically filed document or facsimile.

The filing or recording shall constitute a unique computerized informational record. The record need not be retained in the form in which it is received, if the technology used to retain the record results in a permanent record that does not permit additions, deletions, or changes in the original document and from which an accurate image may be created during the period for which the record is required to be retained.

The filing officer may employ a system of microphotography, optical disk, or reproduction by other techniques that do not permit additions, deletions, or changes to the original document.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 7550.5, the Secretary of State shall prepare and submit to the Legislature at the commencement of the public comment period required under Article 5 (commencing with Section 11346) of Chapter 3.5 of Part 1 a report of, and a copy of, rules and regulations proposed pursuant to subdivision (a) to authorize the electronic filing, including filing by facsimile, of documents required to be filed with the Secretary of State.

(c) All film used in the microphotography process shall comply with minimum standards of quality approved by the United States Bureau of Standards and the American National Standards Institute. A true copy of the microfilm, optical disk, or other storage medium shall be kept in a safe and separate place for security purposes. A reproduction of a document filed, recorded, stored, or retained on microfilm, optical disk, or by other technology pursuant to this section shall be as admissible in a court as the original itself.

The Secretary of State shall obtain the approval of the Fair Political Practices Commission before applying this section to a filing or recording under the Political Reform Act of 1974 (Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000)).

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 45. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)

article: 2. Duties