GO-Biz Information Technology.

Existing law authorizes various state agencies to issue permits and licenses in accordance with specified requirements to conduct business within this state. Existing law establishes the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to serve the Governor as the lead entity for economic strategy and the marketing of California on issues relating to business development, private sector investment, and economic growth. This bill would require GO-Biz, in developing new programs or services, to consider the added value of having all or portions of a program and service assessed digitally, including, but not limited to, undertaking outreach, filing applications, and submitting progress and outcome reports. This bill would provide for a GO-Biz Information Technology Unit within GO-Biz. The bill would require the unit to support GO-Biz in delivering, monitoring, and reporting on programs and services and to create an online internet platform, called the California Business Development Portal. The bill would require the portal to be comprised of the following 3 elements: economic and business development-related digital information, the systems and processes used to manage that information, and a public interface capability, as prescribed. The bill, beginning in the 2019–20 fiscal year, would establish 2 state civil service positions for the purposes of supporting the ongoing enhancement of the functionality of the portal, the California Business License Center, the California Business Navigator, the California Business Mapping Tool, digital resources, and other online products that improve the state government's digital ecosystem. Existing law requires GO-Biz to establish an electronic online permit assistance center through the internet, called the California Government Online to Desktops (CalGold) program, for use by any business or entity subject to a law or regulation to assist that business or entity with complying with those laws or regulations. Existing law requires the CalGold program to be reviewed periodically and, when necessary, updated to assist businesses in the state, as provided. The bill would recast provisions related to the CalGold program by requiring the GO-Biz Information Technology Unit to establish an electronic online government permit and license assistance center and by renaming the CalGold program the California Business License Center. The bill would also require the GO-Biz Information Technology Unit to periodically review and, when necessary, update the California Business License Center to assist businesses in the state, as provided.