Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
                                          Office of Research                              Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov                            and Drafting                                        Office
                             S.B. 195                          Bill Analysis
                   135th   General Assembly
                                                                Click here for S.B. 195’s Fiscal Note
 Version: As Passed by the Senate
 Primary Sponsor: Sen. Manning
 Effective date:
 S. Ben Fogle, Attorney
                                                       SUMMARY
                    Creates the Ohio Ireland Trade Commission, which must study certain economic and
                       policy issues and potential business and academic exchanges.
                    Specifies that the Commission consists of nine members, with three members appointed
                       from each chamber of the General Assembly and three members appointed by the
                       Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
                    Sets out procedures for the internal operations of the Commission.
                    Requires the Commission to issue annual reports of its activities and any findings and
                       recommendations.
                    Allows the Commission to fundraise and to accept gifts from private and public entities.
                                            DETAILED ANALYSIS
Ohio Ireland Trade Commission
      The bill creates the Ohio Ireland Trade Commission, which must study potential means of
advancing the following between Ohio and Ireland:
                    Bilateral trade and investment;
                    Policy issues of mutual interest;
                    Business and academic exchanges;
                    Mutual economic support;
                    Mutual investment in infrastructure;
                                                                                                        May 20, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting                 LSC                          Legislative Budget Office
       Other issues as determined by the Commission.1
    Members and procedures
          The Commission consists of the following nine members:
       Six members of the General Assembly – three senators appointed by the Senate President
          and three representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House – who have knowledge
          of, or current or past involvement in, organizations that promote Irish affairs, or have
          interest in the wellbeing of trade relations between Ohio and Ireland;
       Three members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, as
          follows:
             One member who represents a state institution of higher education;
             One member who represents the Ohio Chamber of Commerce or a successor
              organization that advances business interests in Ohio;
             One member who represents Irish American communities or interest in Ohio.
        The bill requires that members be appointed within 90 days after the bill takes effect.
Legislative members must serve terms of two years or for the remainder of the legislator’s term,
whichever is shorter. Members appointed by the Governor must serve terms of four years. Any
vacancy is to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
        The Commission must elect a chairperson from among its members. A majority of the
members of the Commission constitutes a quorum to do business. The chairperson may create
subcommittees and appoint Commission members as subcommittee chairpersons, at the
discretion of the Commission chairperson. Members of the Commission must serve without
compensation, but they may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of
their duties, within the limits of available funds.2
    Activities
       The bill requires the Commission to meet and hold hearings at the places it designates
throughout the state. Not later than 15 months after the bill takes effect (one year after the
members must be appointed), and annually thereafter, the Commission must file a report with
the Governor, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House. The report must discuss the
Commission’s activities during the past year and any associated findings and recommendations.
       Under the bill, the Commission may raise funds through direct solicitation or other
fundraising events independently or with other groups. And, it may accept gifts, grants, and
bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and
private organizations and institutions. All funds must be deposited in the Ohio Ireland Trade
1   R.C. 149.60(A).
2   R.C. 149.60(B) through (E).
P a g e |2                                                                                   S.B. 195
                                                                              As Passed by the Senate
Office of Research and Drafting              LSC                          Legislative Budget Office
Commission Fund, which the bill creates in the state treasury. The Commission must use the fund
to defray its administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes under the bill. 3
                                       HISTORY
                              Action                                    Date
    Introduced                                          11-27-23
    Reported, S. General Gov’t                          05-08-24
    Passed Senate (31-0)                                05-08-24
ANSB0195PS-135/ts
3   R.C. 149.60(F) and (G).
P a g e |3                                                                                S.B. 195
                                                                           As Passed by the Senate