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S. B. No. 2258 *SS26/R813* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS26/R813
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To: Government Structure
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) McCaughn, McLendon, Michel,
Harkins, Blackwell, Hopson, Suber
SENATE BILL NO. 2258
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION; 1
TO STATE FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE; TO PROVIDE FOR APPOINTMENTS 2
TO THE COMMISSION AND THE LENGTH OF THEIR TERMS; TO SPECIFY HOW 3
THE COMMISSION IS TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS; TO SET OUT THE PURPOSES 4
OF THE COMMISSION; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS, 5
THROUGH DIRECT SOLICITATION OR OTHER FUNDRAISING EVENTS, ALONE OR 6
WITH OTHER GROUPS, AND TO ACCEPT GIFTS, GRANTS, AND BEQUESTS FROM 7
INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND 8
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS TO CARRY OUT ITS 9
PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that: 12
(a) Over seven percent (7%) of Mississippi's 2022 13
population is of Irish descent, making it the third largest 14
ancestry in the Magnolia State, with more than two hundred ten 15
thousand (210,000) citizens claiming heritage from the Emerald 16
Isle. Irish settlers came to Mississippi in several waves of 17
immigration, and their legacy includes business and industry, 18
political, religious, and civic activity. Former Mississippi 19
Governor Gerard Brandon was the grandson of Irish immigrants; and 20
(b) Beyond historical ties, the Irish have long been 21
important to Mississippi's economy. Based on federal data, 22
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Ireland is Mississippi's twelfth largest foreign trade partner, 23
representing industries such as agriculture, aerospace, and 24
pharmaceuticals. With a stable political environment and growing 25
economy, Ireland is poised to advance bilateral trade and 26
investment through direct relationships with Mississippi 27
businesses, elected leaders, educational institutions, and 28
markets. 29
SECTION 2. (1) For purposes of this section, "commission" 30
means the Mississippi-Ireland Trade Commission. 31
(2) (a) There is hereby established the Mississippi-Ireland 32
Trade Commission, which shall consist of ten (10) members, to be 33
appointed as follows: 34
(i) The Governor shall appoint three (3) members, 35
one (1) for an initial term of one (1) year, and two (2) for 36
initial terms of two (2) years; 37
(ii) The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint two (2) 38
members of the Senate, one (1) for an initial term of three (3) 39
years and one (1) for an initial term of four (4) years; 40
(iii) The Speaker of the House shall appoint two 41
(2) members of the House of Representatives, one (1) for an 42
initial term of three (3) years and one (1) for an initial term of 43
four (4) years; 44
(iv) The President of the Mississippi Economic 45
Council shall appoint one (1) member for an initial term of (1) 46
year; 47
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(v) The Executive Director of the Mississippi 48
Development Authority, or his or her designee, shall serve as an 49
ex officio member; and 50
(vi) The Commissioner of the Institutions of 51
Higher Learning, or his or her designee, shall serve as an ex 52
officio, nonvoting member. 53
(b) All appointees of the Governor, Lieutenant 54
Governor, Speaker of the House, and President of the Mississippi 55
Economic Council shall have either current or past involvement in 56
organizations that promote Irish affairs, or an interest in the 57
well-being of trade relations between Mississippi and Ireland. 58
(c) All initial appointments shall be made no later 59
than July 1, 2026. After the expiration of the initial term, all 60
terms shall be for a period of four (4) years. A vacancy in the 61
membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as 62
the original appointment was made. A vacancy occurring during an 63
unexpired term shall be filled for the remainder of the term. 64
(3) Appointed members shall serve without compensation at 65
the will and pleasure of the appointing authority. The commission 66
shall elect a chairman and such other officers as it considers 67
necessary from among its members. A majority of the members of 68
the commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of 69
meetings, and all actions of the commission shall be by a majority 70
vote. The commission shall meet, subject to call by the chairman, 71
at least quarterly. 72
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ST: Mississippi Ireland Trade Commission;
establish.
(4) The purpose of the commission shall be to: 73
(a) Advance bilateral trade and investment between 74
Mississippi and Ireland; 75
(b) Initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual 76
interest to Mississippi and Ireland; 77
(c) Promote business and academic exchanges between 78
Mississippi and Ireland; 79
(d) Encourage mutual economic support between 80
Mississippi and Ireland; 81
(e) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure 82
of Mississippi and Ireland; and 83
(f) Address such other issues as determined by the 84
commission. 85
(5) The Mississippi-Ireland Trade Commission shall be 86
authorized to raise funds, through direct solicitation or other 87
fundraising events, alone or with other groups, and to accept 88
gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, 89
foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private 90
organizations and institutions to carry out its purposes. 91
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 92
and after March 17, 2026. 93