12098.4.
(a) Each agency of the state shall furnish to the advocate the reports, documents, and information that are public records and that the advocate deems necessary to carry out the advocate’s functions under this chapter.(b) (1) 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.
(2) The report shall, at a minimum, include an identification of all of the following:
(A) The number and the nature of complaints filed with or referred to the office, small business liaison designated pursuant to Section 11148.5, and the small business advocate designated pursuant to Section 14846.
(B) The number and nature of outreach efforts of state agencies and, where appropriate, specific departments, that significantly regulate small businesses to assist minority and other small business enterprises.
(C) The number and nature of petitions referred to the office pursuant to Section 11340.6.
11340.7.
(3) The report shall make recommendations on new state activities or modifications on current state activities that may be appropriate to assist the development and strengthening of minority and other small business enterprises.
(c) (1) The advocate may establish a centralized interactive telephone referral system and internet website 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.
(2) The advocate shall post on the GO-Biz
internet website or the advocate’s internet website:
(A) Information on how to receive assistance in identifying and understanding the state’s regulatory requirements. This information shall include:
(i) The name, telephone number, internet website, and email of the small business liaison designated pursuant to Section 11148.5 to assist small businesses with understanding and adhering to the regulatory requirements of the state entities in which they serve.
(ii) The internet website developed and maintained by GO-Biz to identify licensing, permitting, and registration requirements of state agencies, pursuant to the requirements of Section 12097.1
(B) Information on how to receive assistance in certifying as a small business and identifying and participating in state procurement opportunities. This information shall include:
(i) The name, telephone number, internet website, and email of the small business advocate designated pursuant to Section 14846 to assist small businesses in contracting with the state entities in which they serve.
(ii) Contact information for the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services established pursuant to Section 14839.
(C) Information about emergency preparedness, responses to emergencies, and recovery strategies for small businesses. This information shall be developed and updated in
consultation with relevant state agencies and emergency responders.
(D) A link to the Energy Upgrade California internet website to assist small business owners in accessing information on the availability of various programs promoting the efficient use of energy.
(E) Information on 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.
(F) Information on how to identify and access
services provided through the statewide network of small business technical assistance centers, including, but not limited to, small business development centers, women business centers, veteran business outreach centers, procurement technical assistance centers, and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.