Under the bill, the commission has seven members: two senators appointed by
the president of the senate, two representatives to the assembly appointed by the
speaker of the assembly, and three members nominated by the governor, and with
the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve for two-year terms. Of the
members appointed by the governor, at least one must be a representative from a
public institution of higher education, at least one must be a representative from an
organization that represents Wisconsin's business interests, and at least one must
represent Irish-American communities or interests.
The purpose of the commission is to do the following: 1) promote the
advancement of bilateral trade and investment between Wisconsin and the Republic
of Ireland, 2) recommend joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to Wisconsin
and the Republic of Ireland, 3) promote business and academic exchanges between
Wisconsin and the Republic of Ireland, 4) encourage mutual economic support
between Wisconsin and the Republic of Ireland, 5) encourage mutual investment in

the infrastructure of Wisconsin and the Republic of Ireland, and 6) address such
other issues as are determined by the commission.
The commission must report its findings, results, and recommendations to the
governor and the legislature within one year of its initial organizational meeting and
by February 1 of each succeeding year.
The commission may raise funds or accept gifts, grants, or bequests to defray
the commission's administrative expenses and carry out its purposes.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB548,1 1Section 1. 238.29 of the statutes is created to read:
AB548,2,4 2238.29 Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. (1) Definition. In this
3section, “commission” means the advisory body established by the corporation under
4sub. (2).
AB548,2,7 5(2) Creation. The corporation shall establish an advisory body, to be known
6as the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. The corporation shall provide
7administrative support for the commission.
AB548,2,9 8(3) Composition; appointments; vacancies. (a) The commission shall consist
9of 7 members, appointed as follows:
AB548,2,1310 1. Two senators, who shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The
11members shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations
12that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations
13between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
AB548,2,1714 2. Two representatives to the assembly, who shall be appointed by the speaker
15of the assembly. The members shall have knowledge of or current or past
16involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the
17well-being of trade relations between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
AB548,3,6
13. Three members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent
2of the senate appointed, to serve for 2-year terms. The members shall include at
3least one representative from an institution, as defined in s. 36.05 (9), or a technical
4college under ch. 38; at least one representative from an organization that represents
5business interests in this state; and at least one member who represents
6Irish-American communities or interests.
AB548,3,87 (b) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same
8manner in which the original appointment was made.
AB548,3,12 9(4) Administration. (a) Compensation; reimbursement. A member of the
10commission shall receive no compensation for services but shall be reimbursed by the
11corporation for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the
12discharge of duties.
AB548,3,1513 (b) Meetings; chairperson. 1. The commission shall meet on the call of the
14chairperson or a majority of its members. The commission may meet or hold hearings
15at any location as will best serve the citizens of this state.
AB548,3,1716 2. The commission shall elect a chairperson from amongst its members every
172 years.
AB548,3,2018 (c) Records; meetings. The commission's records are subject to the right of
19examination and copying under s. 19.35 (1), and the commission's meetings are
20subject to subch. V. of ch. 19.
AB548,3,2321 (d) Quorum. A majority of the membership of the commission constitutes a
22quorum to do business, and a majority of a quorum may act in any matter within the
23jurisdiction of the commission.
AB548,3,24 24(5) Purpose of the commission. The commission shall do all of the following:
AB548,4,2
1(a) Promote the advancement of bilateral trade and investment between this
2state and the Republic of Ireland.
AB548,4,43 (b) Recommend joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to this state and
4the Republic of Ireland.
AB548,4,65 (c) Promote business and academic exchanges between this state and the
6Republic of Ireland.
AB548,4,87 (d) Encourage mutual economic support between this state and the Republic
8of Ireland.
AB548,4,109 (e) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of this state and the
10Republic of Ireland.
AB548,4,1111 (f) Address such other issues as are determined by the commission.
AB548,4,15 12(6) Reports. The commission shall submit a written report of its findings,
13results, and recommendations to the governor and the legislature within one year
14after its initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for
15the activities of the preceding calendar year.
AB548,4,20 16(7) Funding. The commission may raise funds, through direct solicitation or
17other fundraising events, alone or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and
18bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and
19public and private organizations and institutions, to defray the commission's
20administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes.
AB548,2 21Section 2. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB548,4,2322 (1) Initial appointments. All initial appointments to the Wisconsin-Ireland
23trade commission under s. 238.29 (3) (a) shall be made no later than July 1, 2024.
AB548,4,2424 (End)
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