AB548: Bill Text

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 Section 1. 238.29 of the statutes is created to read:

AB548,2,4 238.29 Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. (1) Definition. In this section, “commission” means the advisory body established by the corporation under sub. (2).

AB548,2,7 (2) Creation. The corporation shall establish an advisory body, to be known as the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. The corporation shall provide administrative support for the commission.

AB548,2,9 (3) Composition; appointments; vacancies. (a) The commission shall consist of 7 members, appointed as follows:

AB548,2,13 1. Two senators, who shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The members shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,2,17 2. Two representatives to the assembly, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly. The members shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,3,6 3. Three members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve for 2-year terms. The members shall include at least one representative from an institution, as defined in s. 36.05 (9), or a technical college under ch. 38; at least one representative from an organization that represents business interests in this state; and at least one member who represents Irish-American communities or interests.

AB548,3,8 (b) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

AB548,3,12 (4) Administration. (a) Compensation; reimbursement. A member of the commission shall receive no compensation for services but shall be reimbursed by the corporation for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of duties.

AB548,3,15 (b) Meetings; chairperson. 1. The commission shall meet on the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members. The commission may meet or hold hearings at any location as will best serve the citizens of this state.

AB548,3,17 2. The commission shall elect a chairperson from amongst its members every 2 years.

AB548,3,20 (c) Records; meetings. The commission's records are subject to the right of examination and copying under s. 19.35 (1), and the commission's meetings are subject to subch. V. of ch. 19.

AB548,3,23 (d) Quorum. A majority of the membership of the commission constitutes a quorum to do business, and a majority of a quorum may act in any matter within the jurisdiction of the commission.

AB548,3,24 (5) Purpose of the commission. The commission shall do all of the following:

AB548,4,2 (a) Promote the advancement of bilateral trade and investment between this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,4,4 (b) Recommend joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,4,6 (c) Promote business and academic exchanges between this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,4,8 (d) Encourage mutual economic support between this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,4,10 (e) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of this state and the Republic of Ireland.

AB548,4,11 (f) Address such other issues as are determined by the commission.

AB548,4,15 (6) Reports. The commission shall submit a written report of its findings, results, and recommendations to the governor and the legislature within one year after its initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year.

AB548,4,20 (7) Funding. The commission may raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions, to defray the commission's administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes.

AB548,2 Section 2. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB548,4,23 (1) Initial appointments. All initial appointments to the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission under s. 238.29 (3) (a) shall be made no later than July 1, 2024.

AB548,4,24 (End)