Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

APPROVED               CHAPTER
                                                                APRIL 11, 2024               616
                                                                BY GOVERNOR            PUBLIC LAW
                                 STATE OF MAINE
                                         _____
                          IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
                      TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
                                         _____
                                 S.P. 919 - L.D. 2164
   An Act to Establish the Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission and
              Improve Collaboration with the Island of Ireland
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
    Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-K, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 786, §5, is amended
to read:
   The primary responsibility of intergovernmental organizations is to establish
cooperation between this State and other states or Canadian provinces or other countries.
    Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-K, sub-§10-A is enacted to read:
    10-A.
State          Maine-Island of Ireland Trade               Not Authorized        10 MRSA
Government     Commission                                                             §21
    Sec. 3. 10 MRSA c. 1-B is enacted to read:
                                    CHAPTER 1-B
             MAINE-ISLAND OF IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION
§21. Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission
   The Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission, referred to in this section as "the
commission," is established by Title 5, section 12004-K, subsection 10-A to promote
cooperation between this State and the island of Ireland.
    1. Membership. The commission consists of 9 members appointed as follows:
    A. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including
    one member of the party holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and one
    member of the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
    B. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, including one member of the party holding the largest
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    number of seats in the Legislature and one member of the party holding the 2nd largest
    number of seats in the Legislature; and
    C. The following 5 members, appointed by the Governor:
        (1) A representative of a public institution of higher education;
        (2) A representative of a statewide chamber of commerce;
        (3) Two members representing Irish-American communities, organizations or
        interests; and
        (4) One member of the public.
In making the appointments under this subsection, the appointing authorities shall, to the
greatest extent possible, consider and appoint individuals with knowledge of or current or
past involvement in organizations that promote Irish or Irish-American affairs.
    2. Terms. Legislative members of the commission serve during the term of office for
which they were elected. The members of the commission appointed pursuant to
subsection 1, paragraph C serve 4-year terms.
    3. Compensation. Notwithstanding Title 3, section 2 or any other provision of law to
the contrary, members of the commission serve without compensation.
    4. Vacancies. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration
of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed serves only for the
remainder of that term. The vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
    5. Chair, vice-chair and subcommittees. The commission shall elect a chair and a
vice-chair from among its members. The chair may appoint from among the commission
members subcommittees and subcommittee chairs at the chair's discretion.
    6. Meetings. The first-named Senate member shall call the initial meeting of the
commission within 30 days after the 6th member is appointed. The commission shall meet
at such times and places as are agreed to by the commission but shall meet at least once
annually.
    7. Quorum. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum, and
a quorum is required for the transaction of the business of the commission.
    8. Duties. The commission shall work to advance bilateral trade and investment
between Maine and the island of Ireland; initiate joint action of policy issues of mutual
interest to Maine and the island of Ireland; promote business and academic exchanges
between Maine and the island of Ireland; encourage mutual economic support between
Maine and the island of Ireland; encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of Maine
and island of Ireland; and address other issues as determined by the commission.
     9. Report. The commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint
standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development,
economic advancement and business matters by February 1, 2025 and annually thereafter
regarding the activities of the commission during the preceding calendar year. The report
must include recommendations as determined appropriate by the commission to effectuate
its purpose under this section. After reviewing the report under this subsection, the joint
standing committee may report out legislation relating to the report.
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    10. Funding. To support its activities under this section, the commission shall seek
outside funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising methods, alone or with other
groups, and may accept gifts, grants and bequests from individuals, corporations,
foundations, governmental agencies and public and private organizations and may expend
those funds for purposes consistent with this section.
    11. Staffing. Subject to the availability of funding under subsection 10, the
commission shall contract for or employ administrative, professional, clerical and other
necessary staff to support its activities under this section.
    Sec. 4. Staggered terms; Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission.
Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 21, subsection 2, of the
members initially appointed to the Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission by the
Governor pursuant to Title 10, section 21, subsection 1, paragraph C, the Governor shall
designate the first 3 appointments for 3-year terms and the remaining appointments for 4-
year terms.
    Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
MAINE-ISLAND OF IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION
Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission N492
Initiative: Provides a baseline allocation for authorized expenditures of the commission in
the event that outside funds are received.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS                                      2023-24          2024-25
 All Other                                                            $0             $500
                                                              __________       __________
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL                                     $0             $500
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Statutes affected: 
Bill Text LD 2164, SP 919: 5.12004
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 616: 5.12004