This measure would express the Legislatures support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

This measure would express the Legislatures support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

This measure would express the Legislatures support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

This measure would express the Legislatures support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

WHEREAS, People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges; and

WHEREAS, Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvias bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature expresses support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.

WHEREAS, People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges; and

WHEREAS, Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvias bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature expresses support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.

WHEREAS, People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges; and

WHEREAS, Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvias bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature expresses support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.

WHEREAS, People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the Republic of Latvia established two Honorary Consulates and appointed two Californians, Dr. Juris Bunkis in Los Angeles, and Liga Hoy in San Francisco, as Honorary Consuls General, to foster the establishment of new business, cultural, and academic contacts between the Republic of Latvia and California; and

WHEREAS, Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvias bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature expresses support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Bill No: SCR 22

Author: Newman (D)

Amended: 3/22/23

Vote: 21

SENATE FLOOR: 37-0, 2/27/23

AYES: Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

NO VOTE RECORDED: Allen, Hurtado, Portantino

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 3/27/23 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: The Republic of Latvia

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution expresses the Legislature’s support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

Assembly Amendments

1. delete a finding related to the Republic of Latvia establishing two Honorary Consulates in California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law.
2. While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges.
3. Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce.
4. There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvia’s bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development.

This resolution expresses the Legislature’s support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

Comments

According to background information provided by the author:

2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Latvia. Over the past century, California has built its own connection to the dynamic Baltic Country.

In 2023, California is home to large Latvian communities in both the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, in each of which the state is proud to work with the Honorary Consuls that provide diplomatic services to support strengthened relations and economic cooperation between California and Latvia.

Key to California’s economic success and growth has been its international partnerships built upon people-to-people connections and common goals.

Today, California and Latvia partnerships generate nearly $80 million in annual trade with room for growth.

Some of California’s largest and most famous companies are already in Latvia, including CISCO, GOOGLE, META (FaceBook), and Medtronic.

California – Latvia cooperation, as supported by SCR 22, will further open the doors to Latvia and the European Union for California’s thousands of small-to-medium sized companies.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 3/27/23)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 3/27/23)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 3/27/23

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner Horvath, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Garcia, Ortega, Zbur

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

3/29/23 15:16:41

**** END ****

Date of Hearing: March 21, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ECONOMY

Carlos Villapudua, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 22

Author:(Newman) – As Introduced Ver:February 8, 2023

SENATE VOTE: 37-0

SUBJECT: The Republic of Latvia

SUMMARY: This resolution expresses the Legislature’s support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce. Specifically, this bill:

1. Makes declarations, which among other things, state:
   1. People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law.
   2. While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges.
   3. In 2011, the Republic of Latvia established two Honorary Consulates and appointed two Californians, Dr. Juris Bunkis in Los Angeles, and Liga Hoy in San Francisco, as Honorary Consuls General, to foster the establishment of new business, cultural, and academic contacts between the Republic of Latvia and California.
   4. Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce.
   5. There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvia’s bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development.

EXISTING LAW: Under Article III, Section 3 of the California Constitution, the powers of state government are distributed among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. As such, the Legislature may enact laws that are consistent with international agreements, provided that such laws do not conflict with federal law or the U.S. Constitution.

Article III, Section 1 of the California Constitution vests the executive power of the state in the Governor, which includes the power to conduct the foreign affairs of the state to the extent that such matters are not preempted by federal law.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2021, the total trade between Latvia and the United States was valued at approximately $425 million. The top exports from Latvia to the United States were pharmaceutical products, wood and wood products, and mineral fuels, while the top imports from the United States to Latvia were vehicles, machinery, and aircraft. Trade between Latvia and California also occurs in industries, such as technology, agriculture, and renewable energy.

According to background information provided by the author, 2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Latvia. California is home to Latvian communities including both the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, in each of which the state works with the Honorary Consuls that provide diplomatic services to support strengthened relations and economic cooperation between California and Latvia.

California – Latvia cooperation, as supported by SCR 22, will further open the doors to Latvia and the European Union for California’s thousands of small-to-medium sized companies.

AMENDMENTS:

The Committee proposes an amendment to SCR 22 to remove a section of the declaration:

Delete lines 11-16

11WHEREAS, In 2011, the Republic of Latvia established two

12 Honorary Consulates and appointed two Californians, Dr. Juris

13 Bunkis in Los Angeles, and Liga Hoy in San Francisco, as

14 Honorary Consuls General, to foster the establishment of new

15 business, cultural, and academic contacts between the Republic

16 of Latvia and California

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Carla Castilla / J., E.D., & E. / (916) 319-2090

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 22

Author: Newman (D)

Introduced: 2/8/23

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: The Republic of Latvia

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution expresses the Legislature’s support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. People throughout the State of California, the United States, and the Republic of Latvia commemorated the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations throughout 2022, celebrating a relationship built on mutual commitments to freedom, democracy, security, prosperity, and the rule of law.
2. While sharing a great deal in common, California and the Republic of Latvia are also sufficiently different, and over the past century, both entities have benefited immensely from efforts to increase trade, investment, and tourism, as well as cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges.
3. In 2011, the Republic of Latvia established two Honorary Consulates and appointed two Californians, Dr. Juris Bunkis in Los Angeles, and Liga Hoy in San Francisco, as Honorary Consuls General, to foster the establishment of new business, cultural, and academic contacts between the Republic of Latvia and California.
4. Both California and the Republic of Latvia serve as commercial, tourism, entertainment, and shipping and logistical industry centers of their respective regions, positioning California as a gateway to the markets of the United States for Latvian commerce, and the Republic of Latvia as the gateway to the Baltic and northern European markets for Californian commerce.
5. There have been numerous efforts to expand California and the Republic of Latvia’s bilateral relationship in the areas of health, climate change, environmental sustainability, information technology, and other areas of common interest and to facilitate the exchange of environmental protection, clean energy research, and development.

This resolution expresses the Legislature’s support for the Governor to execute a cooperation agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the State of California that will promote mutual international trade and commerce.

Comments

According to background information provided by the author:

2022 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States of America and the Republic of Latvia. Over the past century, California has built its own connection to the dynamic Baltic Country.

In 2023, California is home to large Latvian communities in both the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, in each of which the state is proud to work with the Honorary Consuls that provide diplomatic services to support strengthened relations and economic cooperation between California and Latvia.

Key to California’s economic success and growth has been its international partnerships built upon people-to-people connections and common goals.

Today, California and Latvia partnerships generate nearly $80 million in annual trade with room for growth.

Some of California’s largest and most famous companies are already in Latvia, including CISCO, GOOGLE, META (FaceBook), and Medtronic.

California – Latvia cooperation, as supported by SCR 22, will further open the doors to Latvia and the European Union for California’s thousands of small-to-medium sized companies.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 2/21/23)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 2/21/23)

None received

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

2/22/23 13:46:48

**** END ****