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Article 5. Small Business Advocate of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1.6. >> Article 5.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to aid, counsel, assist, and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns in order to preserve free competitive enterprise and maintain a healthy state economy.
  (b) In order to advocate the causes of small business and to provide small businesses with the information they need to survive in the marketplace, there is created within the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development the Office of Small Business Advocate.
  (c) The advocate shall post on his or her Internet Web site the name and telephone number of the small business liaison designated pursuant to Section 14846.
The following definitions apply to this article, unless otherwise indicated:
  (a) "Advocate" means the Small Business Advocate who is also the Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate.
  (b) "Director" means the Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate.
  (c) "Office" means the Office of Small Business Advocate.
(a) The Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate shall be appointed by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.
  (b) The Governor shall appoint the employees who are needed to accomplish the purposes of this article.
  (c) The duties and functions of the advocate shall include all of the following:
  (1) Serve as the principal advocate in the state on behalf of small businesses, including, but not limited to, advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation and administrative regulations that affect small businesses, and advocacy on state policy and programs related to small businesses on disaster preparedness and recovery including providing technical assistance.
  (2) Represent the views and interests of small businesses before other state agencies whose policies and activities may affect small business.
  (3) Enlist 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 that are of benefit to small businesses, and information on how small businesses can participate in, or make use of, those programs and services.
  (4) Consult with experts and authorities in the fields of small business investment, venture capital investment, and commercial banking and other comparable financial institutions involved in the financing of business, and with individuals with regulatory, legal, economic, or financial expertise, including members of the academic community, and individuals who generally represent the public interest.
  (5) Seek the assistance and cooperation of all state agencies and departments providing services to, or affecting, small business, including the small business liaison designated pursuant to Section 14846, to ensure coordination of state efforts.
  (6) Receive and respond to complaints from small businesses concerning the actions of state agencies and the operative effects of state laws and regulations adversely affecting those businesses.
  (7) Counsel small businesses on how to resolve questions and problems concerning the relationship of small business to state government.
  (8) Maintain, publicize, and distribute an annual list of persons serving as small business ombudsmen throughout state government.
(a) Each agency of the state shall furnish to the advocate the reports, documents, and information that are public records and that the director deems necessary to carry out his or her functions under this chapter.
  (b) The advocate shall prepare and submit a written annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature that describes the activities and recommendations of the office, including an evaluation of the efforts of state agencies and, where appropriate, specific departments, that significantly regulate small businesses to assist minority and other small business enterprises, and making recommendations that may be appropriate to assist the development and strengthening of minority and other small business enterprises.
  (c) The advocate may establish a centralized interactive telephone referral system and Internet Web site to assist small and minority businesses in their operations, including governmental requirements, such as taxation, accounting, and pollution control, and to provide information concerning the agency from which more specialized assistance may be obtained. The advocate may establish and advertise a telephone number and an Internet Web site address to serve this centralized interactive telephone referral system and Internet Web site.
In addition to his or her other responsibilities under this article, the advocate shall do the following:
  (a) Develop on the office's Internet Web site in consultation with the appropriate state agencies, and update as necessary, information about emergency preparedness, responses to emergencies, and recovery strategies for small businesses.
  (b) Conduct at least one public meeting every year in coordination with the appropriate state agencies, to share best practices for small business disaster preparedness. The meetings shall be held in consultation with regional and statewide small business organizations and shall take place in different locations throughout the state.
(a) The office shall post information on its Internet Web site to assist an individual to start a nonprofit corporation in this state and to assist a nonprofit corporation to achieve compliance with the state's statutory and regulatory requirements. The Internet Web site shall contain direct links to information on the incorporation, registration, and renewal requirements of all of the following agencies:
  (1) The Employment Development Department.
  (2) The Franchise Tax Board.
  (3) The Internal Revenue Service.
  (4) The office of the Attorney General.
  (5) The office of the Secretary of the State.
  (6) The State Board of Equalization.
  (b) The Internet Web site shall include, but not be limited to, direct links to each agency under subdivision (a) that provides information that does all of the following:
  (1) Assists individuals with identifying all state forms or documents they may need.
  (2) Provides direct links to an electronic copy of all state forms and documents available for download.
  (3) Instructs individuals on how and where to submit all state forms and documents.
  (4) Assists nonprofit corporations with identifying the state's statutory and regulatory requirements they must comply with to maintain their status as a nonprofit corporation in this state.
  (5) Informs individuals to contact local agencies regarding local requirements.
  (c) The office shall ensure that the Internet Web site is user-friendly and provides accurate and updated information.
  (d) (1) Each state agency under subdivision (a) shall provide the office with the direct links to the information described in subdivision (b). The office may refer individuals to the California Tax Service Center Internet Web site.
  (2) A state agency shall not use the Internet Web site established under this section as the exclusive source of information that it provides to the public on its requirements for nonprofit corporations.
Notwithstanding any other law, effective June 30, 2014, the Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant funded through the United States Economic Development Administration under Title IX of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (Grant No. 07-19-02709 and 07-19-2709.01) shall be transferred to the Valley Economic Development Center, Inc. The State of California is the dismissed grantee and the Valley Economic Development Center, Inc., shall be the successor grantee. All responsibilities and authorities associated with these funds shall be transferred from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to the Valley Economic Development Center, Inc., pursuant to the terms and conditions agreed to by all parties, including the United States Economic Development Administration, the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, and the Valley Economic Development Center, Inc., pursuant to the Offer and Acceptance of Award Amendment For Transfer of Award entered into by the parties on June 17, 2014.
The office shall post information on its Internet Web site regarding the programs administered through the statewide network of small business financial development corporations. Programs covered shall include loan guarantees, direct lending, surety bond guarantees, and disaster loans. Information shall be presented in a manner appropriate to address the needs of both small businesses and existing and potential financial institutions and financial companies.
In order to educate small business owners of the availability of various programs promoting the efficient use of energy, the office shall include a link to the Energy Upgrade California Internet Web site on the homepage of its Internet Web site.