Economic development: industry strategies.

Assembly Members Wicks, Ellis, and Hoover frame GO-Biz as the lead catalyst for industry-specific strategies tied to the California Jobs First State Economic Blueprint, with quantum technology identified as the initial priority and a structured plan for each sector that maps the activities and investments needed to sustain growth in California.

The bill requires GO-Biz to develop industry strategies for the blueprint’s strategic sectors, building on California’s comparative advantages—academic, scientific, and technological assets alongside a skilled workforce—and to prioritize access to tax incentives, grants, loan programs, and workforce training to catalyze private investment. Each industry strategy must include six elements: an industry overview explaining the current state and why the sector is critical, identification of dependencies and risks, a catalog of projects and programs (including critical public-private partnerships) to enhance economic vitality, analysis of relevant state policies to identify more cost-effective approaches, a sector-level outcomes summary, and a dedicated section on the state website updated with industry-specific information. For the quantum technology subsector identified in the blueprint, the office must develop the strategy and may develop strategies for other subsectors; the quantum technology strategy must be submitted to the Legislature by July 1, 2026, with engagement from regional stakeholders in areas where quantum technology is prioritized.

The proposal positions GO-Biz within the existing governance framework for economic development, tying new duties to the California Jobs First State Economic Blueprint and ensuring alignment between the blueprint’s identified sectors and state strategy. It establishes a public-facing information channel through a dedicated website section and requires legislative submission for the quantum technology plan, while noting an absence of explicit new appropriation or local-program mandates. Oversight is expected through fiscal review and public transparency rather than direct enforcement mechanisms.

Looking ahead, the measure would formalize a multi-sector, GO-Biz–led process to articulate sector-specific strategies and investment pathways, potentially shaping how public incentives, private capital, and regional collaboration are mobilized. The emphasis on stakeholder engagement and online disclosure embeds public accountability into the planning process, while the optional scope for additional subsectors invites further agency action beyond quantum technology. Open questions for oversight include how “strategic sectors” are defined across regions, how progress will be measured beyond the stated elements, and how coordination with other state departments will be operationalized.