ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM.

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SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 278(STA)

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Offered: 5/11/26
Referred: Rules

Sponsor(s): REPRESENTATIVES COSTELLO, McCabe, Edgmon, Hall, Vance, Tomaszewski, Bynum,
Josephson, Stapp, Story
A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and providing for an 1
effective date." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 44.33 is amended by adding a new section to read: 4
Article 7A. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. 5
Sec. 44.33.440. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. (a) The Alaska-Ireland 6
Trade Commission is established in the department. 7
(b) The commission consists of the following members: 8
(1) five members appointed by the governor; 9
(2) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the 10
speaker of the house of representatives; and 11
(3) two members of the senate appointed by president of the senate. 12
(c) The members of the commission appointed under (b)(1) of this section 13
serve staggered three-year terms. The members of the commission appointed under 14
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(b)(2) and (3) of this section serve two-year terms. A member of the commission 1
serves at the pleasure of the member's appointing authority. 2
(d) The purpose of the commission is to 3
(1) advance bilateral trade and investment between the state and 4
Ireland; 5
(2) initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to the state 6
and Ireland; 7
(3) promote business, entrepreneurship, new venture development, and 8
academic exchanges between the state and Ireland; 9
(4) promote research collaborations and funding opportunities that 10
advance the mutual interests of the state and Ireland; 11
(5) encourage mutual economic support between the state and Ireland; 12
(6) encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of the state and 13
Ireland; and 14
(7) address other issues as determined by the commission. 15
(e) The commission shall elect a chair from among its members. A majority of 16
the members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 17
(f) Except for meetings held outside of the state that the commission 18
determines should be conducted in person, the commission shall meet by electronic 19
means. The commission shall provide public notice of a meeting at least seven days 20
before the meeting. 21
(g) If the department obtains the information required under (i)(1) of this 22
section and provides a copy of that information to the commission, the department 23
may accept a grant, donation, or gift from a public or private source to pay for 24
(1) per diem and travel expenses of the commission; or 25
(2) other assistance and support the commission requires to carry out 26
the purposes of this section . 27
(h) Except as permitted under (g)(1) of this section, members of the 28
commission serve without compensation and are not entitled to per diem and travel 29
expenses authorized by law under AS 39.20.180. 30
(i) By the 30th day of each regular legislative session, the commission shall 31
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prepare a report, deliver the report to the governor, senate secretary, and chief clerk of 1
the house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is available. The 2
report must include 3
(1) information on the grants, donations, and gifts accepted under (g) 4
of this section in the previous year, including 5
(A) the date and amount or value of each grant, donation, and 6
gift; 7
(B) the total amount or value of all grants, donations, and gifts; 8
(C) the name and address of each person who made a grant, 9
donation, or gift, and the dates and total amount or value of the grants, 10
donations, or gifts; and 11
(D) for grants, donations, or gifts in excess of $50 in the 12
aggregate during the previous year, the principal occupation and employer of 13
the person who made the grant, donation, or gift; and 14
(2) the commission's findings, results, and recommendations. 15
(j) The commission may not contract for writing services or support to prepare 16
the report required under (i) of this section unless a grant, donation, or gift is made for 17
that purpose under (g) of this section. The department may not provide staff to the 18
commission to provide writing services or support to prepare the report required under 19
(i) of this section. 20
(k) In this section, "department" means the Department of Commerce, 21
Community, and Economic Development. 22
* Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 23
read: 24
INITIAL APPOINTMENT; STAGGERED TERMS. Notwithstanding 25
AS 44.33.440(b)(1), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, the members of the Alaska-Ireland Trade 26
Commission appointed under AS 44.33.440(b)(1), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, are appointed 27
to initial terms as follows: 28
(1) one member shall serve a one-year term; 29
(2) two members shall serve two-year terms; and 30
(3) two members shall serve three-year terms. 31
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* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 1