Section 13999.2.

(a) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for that purpose, the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency shall implement a space enterprise development program to foster activities that increase the competitiveness of space enterprise in California, including, but not limited to, the commercial use of space, space vehicle launches, space launch infrastructure, manufacturing, applied research, technology development, economic diversification, and business development.

(b) The agency may contract with other state or private agencies, nonprofit corporations, universities, firms, or individuals for the performance of technical or specialized work, or for services related to space enterprise development programs.

(c) The secretary shall select a California nonprofit corporation to assist the agency in its administration of space enterprise economic development activities through programs, projects, grants, partnerships, networks, and collaboration. The corporation shall be selected through a solicitation process established by the agency. The solicitation process shall include criteria for selection of the corporation, which shall include, but not be limited to, demonstrated experience in space enterprise and the ability to perform space enterprise development activities described in subdivision (d).

(d) The corporation may perform one or more of the following activities, as determined contractually between the agency and the corporation:

(1) Serve as the California Spaceport Authority with responsibilities specified in Section 13999.3.

(2) Pursue grants from the federal government or from private businesses, foundations, or individuals, for California space enterprise activities, including, but not limited to, studies, services, infrastructure improvements and modernization, and defense transition programs, to the extent permitted by law.

(3) Identify science and technology trends that are significant to space enterprise and the state and act as a clearinghouse for space enterprise issues and information.

(4) Develop and implement a state strategy for applying and commercializing technology to create jobs, respond to industry changes, and foster innovation and competitiveness in space enterprise.

(5) Provide information to the secretary relevant to changes in federal, state, and local statutes and regulations that will enhance the development of space enterprise in California.

(6) Provide information to the secretary regarding the development of laws, regulations, decisions, or determinations affecting the economic and employment impacts of space enterprise in California.

(7) Provide recommendations to the secretary for appropriate state funding mechanisms and amounts to promote development of space enterprise in California, including education and workforce development.

(8) Provide recommendations to the secretary in the form of strategic planning documents.

(9) Review applications for, and promote, the California Space Enterprise Competitive Grant Program established by Section 13999.4.

(e) (1) The agency and the corporation shall enter into an annual contract specifying the activities to be performed by the corporation.

(2) Pursuant to the contract, the corporation shall submit to the agency quarterly reports of its activities and finances. The quarterly reports shall be of sufficient detail for the agency to determine whether the corporation is in compliance with the annual contract between the agency and the corporation.

(3) The annual contract shall include conflict of interest requirements developed by the agency.

(4) Failure of the corporation to comply with the conditions in the annual contract, as evidenced in the quarterly reports and any supplemental monitoring of the corporation by the agency, shall result in the cancellation of the annual contract and deselection of the corporation. Upon the deselection of the corporation, the agency shall utilize the solicitation process set forth in subdivision (c) to select a replacement corporation.

(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 627, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)