Requires the division of small business to conduct a study on certain stakeholder interest in a pilot program matching small businesses with content creators
This bill would amend the Economic Development Law to create a new section requiring the Division of Small Business to study interest in a potential pilot program that would match small businesses with content creators. The study would focus on whether small businesses seeking help with marketing and advertising would be interested in working with social media content creators who could promote their businesses through their platforms.
The bill defines “content creator” as a person who creates material for public sharing on a social media platform, and defines “small business” as a retail establishment with under $5 million in annual gross revenue and 25 or fewer employees, with related entities aggregated for eligibility purposes. By January 1, 2027, the division must conduct public outreach to businesses and stakeholders, assess interest in the pilot concept, and prepare a report on its findings.
The report must be transmitted to the Governor and specified legislative leaders and committee chairs within 30 days after the study is completed. The bill takes effect immediately but is temporary, expiring and being repealed on January 1, 2028. As drafted, it does not create the pilot program itself; it only authorizes a study of stakeholder interest and feasibility.
The bill would add a new, temporary study mandate to the Economic Development Law, placing responsibility on the Division of Small Business to gather information and report on a proposed marketing-support pilot program. It would not directly regulate businesses or content creators, nor would it establish funding, eligibility rules, or operational details for a pilot program at this stage. Its practical effect would be to create a legislative and administrative basis for considering future small business marketing initiatives tied to social media promotion.
The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Small Business, with no recorded votes or committee transcript excerpts provided. Based on the text, the bill appears generally supportive of small business marketing innovation and the use of social media creators as promotional partners. Because the measure is limited to a study and report, it suggests a cautious, exploratory approach rather than immediate policy change.
The main potential point of contention is whether the state should devote resources to studying a pilot program that links small businesses with social media content creators, especially when the bill does not yet commit to implementing the program. Questions may also arise about the definition of “small business,” the role of public outreach, and whether such a program would provide meaningful economic benefit or simply subsidize marketing activity. No specific opposition or support is documented in the provided materials.