NM IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION

HB0053

HOUSE BILL 53

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Mark B. Murphy
and
Kathleen Cates
and
John Block

and
Tanya Mirabal Moya
and
Angelita Mejia

AN ACT

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; ESTABLISHING THE NEW MEXICO-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
[
NEW MATERIAL
] NEW MEXICO-IRELAND TRADE
COMMISSION--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES--ANNUAL REPORT.--

A. The "New Mexico-Ireland trade commission" is
established and administratively attached to the economic
development department.

B. Members of the commission shall
include the
director of the division of international trade of the economic
development department or the director's designee and the
following members who have knowledge of or involvement in
organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in
the well-being of trade relations between New Mexico and
Ireland and are appointed as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the president
pro tempore of the senate;

(2) two members appointed by the minority
floor leader of the senate;

(3) three members appointed by the speaker of
the house of representatives;

(4) two members appointed by the minority
floor leader of the house of representatives; and

(5) six members appointed by the governor,
including:

(a) one member from a state institution
of higher education;

(b) one member who is a member of an
Indian nation, tribe or pueblo;

(c) one member who is involved with a
New Mexico agricultural business;

(d) one member who is involved with a
New Mexico oil or gas energy business; and

(e) two members of the public who are
members of different political parties and who represent Irish-American communities or interests in New Mexico.

C. Appointments to the New Mexico-Ireland trade
commission shall be made to stagger the terms of the members so
that:

(1) the terms of two of the initial members
appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one of
the initial members appointed by the minority floor leader of
the senate shall be for two years; and the terms of the
remaining initial member and all subsequent members appointed
by the president pro tempore of the senate and the remaining
initial member and all subsequent members appointed by the
minority floor leader of the senate shall be for four years;

(2) the terms of two of the initial members
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and
one of the initial members appointed by the minority floor
leader of the house of representatives shall be for two years;
and the terms of the remaining initial member and all
subsequent members appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives and the remaining initial member and all
subsequent members appointed by the minority floor leader of
the house of representatives shall be for four years; and

(3) three of the initial members appointed by
the governor shall be appointed for two years and three shall
be appointed for four years, and all subsequent appointments by
the governor shall be for four-year terms.

D. Appointments shall be made not later than ninety
days following the effective date of this 2026 act. Vacancies
shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

E. The commission may accept gifts, grants,
donations, money from fundraising activities, bequests and
other forms of voluntary contributions to carry out the
purposes of the commission.

F. The commission shall:

(1) annually elect a chair and vice chair from
among the commission's members;

(2) meet virtually or in person at least once
annually and at the call of the chair;

(3) work to advance bilateral trade and
investment between New Mexico and Ireland with emphasis on the
technology, agricultural and energy sectors;

(4) initiate joint action on policy issues of
mutual interest between New Mexico and Ireland;

(5) promote business and academic exchanges
between New Mexico and Ireland;

(6) encourage mutual economic support between
New Mexico and Ireland;

(7) encourage mutual investment in the
infrastructure of New Mexico and Ireland; and

(8) on or before December 1, 2027 and each
year thereafter, submit to the governor, the president pro
tempore of the senate, the minority floor leader of the senate,
the speaker of the house of representatives, the minority floor
leader of the house of representatives and the secretary of
economic development a report that includes the commission's
findings, results and recommendations.

G. The division of international trade of the
economic development department shall provide staff to the New
Mexico-Ireland trade commission as required to fulfill the
purposes of the commission.

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