Chapter 8. Office Of California-mexico Affairs of California Government Code >> Division 1. >> Title 2. >> Chapter 8.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:
  (a) The United States and Mexican economies have become increasingly integrated, particularly since the 1994 adoption of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.
  (b) This integration has brought both California and Mexico opportunities and challenges in the areas of economic development, labor relations, and environmental protection.
  (c) The California Office of the Southwest Border Regional Conference (formerly commission) was established as part of a joint American border states effort to further and develop favorable relations with the six Mexican border states.
  (d) The efforts of the California office of the conference continue to be an essential part of California's interaction with Mexico.
  (e) It is important for the state and for the nation that state agencies continue to address important United States-Mexico issues.
  (f) The Office of California-Mexico Affairs provides a focal point in state government to serve as a clearinghouse for information and assistance to other state agencies which are involved with Mexico.

The following definitions shall govern the construction of this chapter:
  (a) "Office" means the Office of California-Mexico Affairs.
  (b) "Conference" means the Southwest Border Regional Conference.

(a) There is in state government an Office of California-Mexico Affairs. Within this office the operations of the California Office of the Southwest Border Regional Conference shall be continued.
  (b) The office succeeds to and is vested with all the duties, powers, purposes, and responsibilities vested in the California office of the conference and previously vested in the Commission of the Californias.
  (c) The office shall have possession and control of all records, papers, offices, equipment, supplies, moneys, funds, appropriations, land, and other property, real or personal, held for the benefit or use of the California office of the conference, or previously held for the benefit or use of the commission, in the performance of the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the California office of the conference or the commission.

The members of the Southwest Border Regional Conference shall be the Governors of the four American border states. The California member of the conference is the Governor of California or his designee.

The office shall further and develop favorable relations with the State of Baja California, the State of Baja California Sur, other Mexican states bordering on the United States, and the remaining states and territories of the Republic of Mexico necessary for the completion of the office's tasks. The office shall cooperate with similar organizations and agencies situated within California, the United States, or Mexico, to further economic development, improve working conditions and living standards, and foster the protection and improvement of the environment in Mexico and California. The office shall avail itself of the services of the San Diego State University, which is engaged in educational, cultural, and research activities with Mexico. The office shall be responsible for carrying out the ongoing responsibilities of the Southwest Border Regional Conference.

The Governor shall appoint a director of the office. The director may appoint and employ any personnel which he or she deems necessary to carry out the functions of the office. The office may incur all necessary expenses to effectuate its purposes and may accept grants from federal and state agencies. The office may also accept funds from private organizations or individuals in order to assist it in the accomplishment of its functions as set forth in this chapter.

Members and employees of the office may travel outside of California and may hold hearings and conduct investigations within and outside of the state whenever necessary to carry out the duties set forth in this chapter. Members and employees may acquire any available information from any governmental agency within the United States or Mexico necessary to the completion of their tasks.

The office shall be responsible for the establishment of committees in those topic areas deemed necessary by the director. Recommendations of the committees shall not be binding on the Governor or the Legislature but shall only be advisory in nature.