Date of enactment: March 21, 2024
2023 Assembly Bill 548 Date of publication*: March 22, 2024
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 170
AN ACT to create 19.42 (13) (or) and 238.29 of the statutes; relating to: requiring the Wisconsin Economic Devel-
opment Corporation to create the Wisconsin−Ireland Trade Commission.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in
senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
SECTION 1m. 19.42 (13) (or) of the statutes is created
to read:
19.42 (13) (or) The members of the Wisconsin−Ire-
land trade commission under s. 238.29.
SECTION 1r. 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 admin-
istrative support for the commission.
(3) COMPOSITION; APPOINTMENTS; VACANCIES. (a) The
commission shall consist of 7 members, appointed as fol-
lows:
1. Two senators, who shall be appointed by the presi-
dent 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 Repub-
lic 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.
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 inter-
ests.
(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; reimburse-
ment. 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.
* Section 991.11, WISCONSIN STATUTES: Effective date of acts. “Every act and every portion of an act enacted by the legislature over the governor’s
partial veto which does not expressly prescribe the time when it takes effect shall take effect on the day after its date of publication.” − 2 −2023 Wisconsin Act 170 2023 Assembly Bill 548
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:
(a) Promote the advancement of bilateral trade and
investment between this state and the Republic of Ire-
land.
(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 infrastruc-
ture 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 ini-
tial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each
succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calen-
dar 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 organiza-
tions and institutions, to defray the commission’s admin-
istrative 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.