AB 258: Economic development: small businesses: Small Business Information Act: internet web portal.

(1)Existing law, the Economic Revitalization Act, establishes the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development, also known as GO-Biz, in state government within the Governors office under the control of a director. Existing law requires GO-Biz to serve as the Governors lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth, and authorizes GO-Biz to establish an interactive internet website, as prescribed. Existing law creates the Office of Small Business Advocate (office) within GO-Biz to be led by the Small Business Advocate (advocate), who is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Governor. Existing law imposes prescribed duties on the advocate, including serving as the principal advocate in the state on behalf of small businesses, and enlisting the cooperation and assistance of public and private agencies, businesses, and other organizations in disseminating information about the programs and services provided by state government for the benefit of small businesses. Existing law requires the advocate to post specified information on the GO-Biz or advocates internet website, including how to receive assistance in certifying as a small business and identifying and participating in state procurement opportunities.

This bill would recast those provisions concerning the advocates responsibility to post the above-described information on the Go-Biz internet website or the advocates website, and would instead require the advocate to establish on the GO-Biz or advocates internet website an internet web portal. The bill would additionally require the advocate to include within that web portal prescribed links and information relevant to small businesses regarding current and upcoming procurement opportunities offered through state government and public utilities and financial resources and business incentives offered by the state to those businesses. The bill would require the advocate to ensure that this internet web portal is accessible and provides helpful information to a diverse set of potential applicants, including businesses owned by specified individuals, and other entities that are working to support and benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities.

(2)Existing law, the Grant Information Act of 2018, requires the California State Library (library) to create a funding opportunities internet web portal that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find state grant opportunities.

This bill would require the library to provide a link to the above-described internet web portal.

(3)Existing law, the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act, requires the directors of the Department of General Services (department) and other state agencies that enter specified contracts, among other things, to establish a minimum goal of 25% procurement participation for small businesses, including microbusinesses, in the provision of goods, information technology, and services to the state, and in the construction of state facilities. The act defines various terms for these purposes.

This bill would require the department to provide an internet web page that includes web links to online directories or databases of businesses certified by state agencies with industrial classification codes, as specified. The bill would require the department to provide a link to the internet web page on the departments internet home page. The bill would require the department to notify each state agency or department that the small business certification database is a resource for sourcing vendors to meet the 25% goal described above.