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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 548
October 20, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives MURPHY, DOYLE, CALLAHAN,
CONLEY, DITTRICH, DONOVAN, O'CONNOR, SCHRAA, VOS, ARMSTRONG, GUNDRUM,
KITCHENS, MELOTIK, RETTINGER, STEFFEN and SUBECK, cosponsored by
Senators QUINN, FELZKOWSKI and TESTIN. Referred to Committee on Workforce
Development and Economic Opportunities.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to create 238.29 of the statutes; relating to: requiring the Wisconsin
Economic Development Corporation to create the Wisconsin-Ireland Trade
Commission.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to create
an advisory body, to be known as the Wisconsin-Ireland Trade Commission, to
advance and promote mutual economic interests between W isconsin and the
Republic of Ireland.
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
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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:
SECTION 1. 238.29 of the statutes is created to read:
238.29 Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. (1) DEFINITION. In this
section, “commission” means the advisory body established by the corporation under
sub. (2).
(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.
(3) COMPOSITION; APPOINTMENTS; VACANCIES. (a) The commission shall consist
of 7 members, appointed as follows:
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.
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.
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ASSEMBLY BILL 548
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.
(b) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same
manner in which the original appointment was made.
(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.
(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.
2. The commission shall elect a chairperson from amongst its members every
2 years.
(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.
(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.
(5) PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION. The commission shall do all of the following:
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SECTION 1 ASSEMBLY BILL 548
(a) Promote the advancement of bilateral trade and investment between this
state and the Republic of Ireland.
(b) Recommend joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to this state and
the Republic of Ireland.
(c) Promote business and academic exchanges between this state and the
Republic of Ireland.
(d) Encourage mutual economic support between this state and the Republic
of Ireland.
(e) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of this state and the
Republic of Ireland.
(f) Address such other issues as are determined by the commission.
(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.
(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.
SECTION 2.0Nonstatutory provisions.
(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.
(END)
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