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Inventory of the California State Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Records
LP231:55-58, LP253:118, LP415:1-408
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Title: California Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee Records
Dates: 1981-1990
Collection numbers: LP231:55-58, LP253:118, LP415:1-408
Creator:
Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee
Collection Size:
18.25 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee records consist of approximately 18.25 cubic feet of textual
and audiovisual records covering the years 1981-1990. In addition to this committee's records, there are those of its predecessor,
the Assembly Economic Development and Planning Committee.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], [Name of Committee] Records, LP[number]:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the
Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The State Archives received these records in accordance with California Government Code 9080(b) which requires legislative
committees to transfer their records to the State Archives when they are no longer needed by the committee.
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development and New Technologies arose in response to the rapidly changing economy and
the increasing importance of high technology industries in California during the 1980s. Its mission was to serve as a forum
to develop, debate, and act on legislative initiatives relating to the local and state economies and emerging technologies.
On January 13, 1983 the California State Assembly passed House Resolution 8 to create the Committee on Economic Development
and New Technologies. The thirteen member, bi-partisan committee focused on eight core issues - international trade, small
business development, tourism, educational and vocational training, new and emerging technologies, motion pictures, state
and local economic development and biotechnology. The Committee aimed to provide access to the legislative process to organizations
and individuals concerned with technology and economic development through extensive outreach and field visits. A Monterey
County Democrat, Sam Farr, chaired the committee throughout its existence.
The committee's predecessor, Economic Development and Planning, was short-lived. On May 5, 1980 the Assembly passed House
Resolution 46 to create the Economic Development and Planning Committee for the 1981-1982 legislative session. Donald A. Rogers,
a Kern County Republican, chaired the committee for its short tenure.
As the Assembly moved towards the 1990s the role of technology in government and that of consumer protection and government
efficiency continued to gain prominence. The Assembly believed these issues were closely linked and moved to combine the
Economic Development and Planning Committee and the Governmental Efficiency and Consumer Protection Committee. Therefore,
on January 18, 1991, House Resolution 7 combined the Assembly Governmental Efficiency and Consumer Protection Committee and
the Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee to create the Governmental Efficiency, Consumer Protection,
and New Technologies Committee. Just a few days later, on January 28, 1991, House Resolution 9 was unanimously passed, which
renamed this committee to be the Assembly Consumer Protection, Governmental Efficiency, and Economic Development Committee.
The chairs of the committee from 1981-1989 were:
Economic Development and Planning Committee, 1981-1982
Rogers, Donald A. (1981-1982)
Economic Development and New Technologies Committee, 1983-1989
Farr, Sam (1983-1989)
The Assembly Economic Development and New Technologies Committee records consist of approximately 18.25 cubic feet of textual
and audiovisual records covering the years 1981-1990. In addition to this committee's records, there are those of its predecessor,
the Assembly Economic Development and Planning Committee. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files (1981-1988),
Hearing Files (1983-1988), Subject Files (1981-1989), Report Files (1986-1990), and Correspondence (1983-1988).
Bill Files constitute about 6 cubic feet of the collection and document the bills directed to the committee and include committee
analyses, letters from interested parties, request for draft bills, and legislative updates. A majority of the bill files
relate to small business development, emerging technologies, tourism, and economic development.
The Hearing Files make up about 3.75 cubic feet of the collection and include several audiotapes and one videotape in addition
to the textual records. Popular subjects include the tourism industry, job training at community colleges, and biotechnology.
One hearing of particular interest focused on runaway film production and Clint Eastwood testified to the importance of the
film industry in California. There are several hearings that did not focus on a particular topic but instead concentrated
on several related bills. Other hearings were on such topics as federal defense spending, trade development, and rural economic
development.
Subject Files make up the largest portion of the collection with about 6.5 cubic feet. The subjects range from the superconducting
super collider, the Pacific Rim, small business issues, corporate takeovers, computers, and international trade. Other subject
files include press releases, news clips, tax policy, and the committee's informational brochure.
The fourth series, Reports, is the smallest series, consisting of only three file folders. The two reports included in the
collection are an annual report from 1986 and information on water scarcity from 1990. Correspondence is the final series
of the collections. It is comprised of roughly 3.5 cubic feet of correspondence mostly from a committee member or staffers.
It is arranged chronologically beginning in January 1983 and ending with 1988.
No further accruals are expected.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Economic Development and New Technologies
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Economic Development and Planning
Technology
Related Collections at the California State Archives
Sam Farr Papers
Assembly Consumer Protection, Governmental Efficiency, and Economic Development Committee Records