H493 • 2025

An Act establishing the Puerto Rico trade commission

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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Orlando Ramos
Last action: 2026-03-05
Official status: Accompanied a study order, see H5178
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act establishing the Puerto Rico trade commission

An Act establishing the Puerto Rico trade commission By Representative Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

An Act establishing the Puerto Rico trade commission By Representative Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
493) of Orlando Ramos for legislation to establish a Puerto Rico trade commission.
Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-03-05 House
Accompanied a study order, see H5178
2025-09-25 Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 09/25/2025 from 11:00 AM-11:30 AM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
2025-09-16 Joint
Hearing scheduled for 09/25/2025 from 11:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
2025-02-27 House
Referred to the committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
2025-02-27 Senate
Senate concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act establishing the Puerto Rico trade commission
By Representative Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 493) of Orlando Ramos for legislation to establish a Puerto Rico trade commission. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Bill H.493

Chapter 23A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 71. (a) There shall be a Massachusetts-Puerto Rico trade commission to strengthen the relationship between the commonwealth and Puerto Rico. The commission shall study and make recommendations on: (i) promoting trade, business and investment between the commonwealth and Puerto Rico; (ii) advancing policy issues of mutual interest to the commonwealth and Puerto Rico; (iii) creating economic, scientific, cultural and educational exchanges between the communities of the commonwealth and Puerto Rico; and (iv) any other matters that the commission deems appropriate.

(b) The commission shall consist of 15 members: 2 members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 2 members to be appointed by the senate president; the secretary of economic development, or a designee; and 10 members to be appointed by the governor. The commission shall elect from among its members a chair.

(c) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for any unusual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members shall be considered special state employees for the purposes of chapter 268A.

(d) Annually, not later than June 30, the commission shall submit a report of its findings, including any legislative or policy recommendations, to the secretary of economic development, the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee on economic development and emerging technologies.

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