Sacramento, California - The Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy (JEDE) passed five bills (AB 184, AB 866, AB 1093, AB 1270, AB 1444) with overwhelmingly bi-partisan support this week authored by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.

“As the chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy I want California’s small business to grow and prosper.  My bills will continue to provide California businesses and their workforce the needed technical assistance for them to succeed in our communities,” stated Garcia.

Assemblymember Garcia’s JOBS Bills that were approved by the JEDE Committee:

AB 184 (E. Garcia) – Small Business Technical Assistance Act of 2015

AB 184 designates the Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank as the lead entity for facilitating the state’s engagement with five key federal small business technical assistance programs:  the Small Business Development Centers; the Woman's Business Center program; the Veteran Business Outreach Center program; the Service Corps of Retired Executives; and the Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement program.

AB 866 (E. Garcia) – Small Business Regulations

AB 866 expands the role of the state Small Business Advocate to include advocating for regulatory implementation models that are flexible in addressing the challenges small businesses face in meeting regulatory mandates.

AB 1093 (E. Garcia) – Workforce Investment for the Re-Entry Population

AB 1093 modifies the criteria for the Supervised Population Workforce Training Grant Program to allow grant applicants to address the education and training needs of people who have some postsecondary education or individuals who require basic education, or people in both categories.

AB 1270 (E. Garcia and Hernández) – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

AB 1270 comprehensively updates California’s primary workforce development program to reflect the new requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

AB 1444 (E. Garcia) – Foreign Trade Zones on Tribal Lands

AB 1444 expands California law to reflect federal eligibility requirements relative to which types of entities may apply for a federally designated foreign trade zone.