Illicit: The Dark Trade, premiering Wednesday, April 16, 2008, on PBS. This powerful film sweeps back the veil of secrecy shrouding the criminal networks behind the multibillion dollar global trade of illicit goods. Illicit is a call to arms to everyone who respects creativity, innovation, and economic and human progress. The theft of Intellectual Property (IP) through counterfeiting and piracy costs the US economy $250 billion annually and has wiped out 750,000 jobs. It costs the global economy about $650 billion a year. The U.S. Chamber supported this movie’s production. Visit TheTrueCosts.org
Featured Headline: U.S.-Colombia FTA Update
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: President Moves, But Congress Stalls
On April 7, U.S. President George W. Bush signed a letter to send Congress legislation that implements the United States' free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia. On April 10, however, Congress passed a House resolution on Trade Promotion Authority removing the requirement that Congress act within 90 days of receiving the agreement. CalChamber, April 11, 2008 Final vote on House Resolution regarding TPA.
AB 1967 (Torrico) Public Employee Retirement: investments: sovereign wealth funds
The bill would prohibit the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the State Teachers' Retirement System (STRS) from investing in a private equity company that is owned in whole or in part by a sovereign wealth fund, as defined, or in a fund managed directly or indirectly by a private equity company that is owned in whole or in part by a sovereign wealth fund, if any country or federation of countries with which the sovereign wealth fund is affiliated, either directly or indirectly, is not a signatory or party to at least 5 of 6 specified international treaties:
(1)The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. (2) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (3) The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. (4) The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. (5) The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (6) The Convention on the Rights of the Child.
U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement
A bilateral TPA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. A U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action Click here for additional information
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries and is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action Click here for additional information
California Legislation
AB 1394 (Krekorian) Counterfeit: Trademarks
This bill would make it a misdemeanor or a felony for a person to intentionally transport, offer for sale, or distribute any counterfeit registered trademark, as specified. This bill would require the forfeiture of all proceeds from the willful manufacture, intentional transport, sale, offering for sale, distribution, or knowing possession for sale of any counterfeit registered trademark. This bill would also apply provisions related to counterfeited trademarks to unassembled components and would require restitution to be paid to the victim of a trademark offense.
AB 2311 (Tran) International Trade Offices
This bill would require the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, on or before February 1, 2009, to establish international trade and investment offices, as specified, using only funds from the Economic Development and Trade Promotion Account for those purposes.
AB 2312 (Tran) Economic Development: International Trade
This bill would establish the volunteer position of State Trade Representative of California, appointed by the Governor, to promote foreign investment in, and trade with, this state and require the Undersecretary for International Trade in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to administer the position.
AB 2313 (Tran) International Trade and Investment
Existing law prohibits the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing from establishing any international trade and investment office, unless certain conditions are met. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to these provisions.
SB 974 (Lowenthal) Tax on Freight Movement
This bill would require the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland to collect a user fee on the owner of container cargo moving through the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, or the Port of Oakland at a rate of $30 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
SB 1649 (Steinberg) Human Trafficking
This bill would require retail sellers and manufacturers doing business in the state to develop, maintain, and implement policies related to their compliance with federal law regarding the eradication of slavery and human trafficking.
CalBizCentral CalBizCentral from CalChamber is your one-stop shop for products that answer California and federal labor law and HR questions, alleviate confusion, save you time and money, so you can get back to business. Click on the graphic to view our catalog.
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