OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 455* Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 455’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Reported by House Government Oversight
Primary Sponsors: Reps. Patton and Manning
Effective date:
Austin Strohacker, 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;
* This analysis was prepared before the report of the House Government Oversight Committee
appeared in the House Journal. Note that the legislative history may be incomplete.
June 13, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
 Mutual economic support;
 Mutual investment in infrastructure;
 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.
1 R.C. 149.60(A).
2 R.C. 149.60(B) through (E).
P a g e |2 H.B. 455
As Reported by House Government Oversight
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
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
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 03-27-24
Reported, H. Government Oversight --
ANHB0455RH-135/sb
3 R.C. 149.60(F) and (G).
P a g e |3 H.B. 455
As Reported by House Government Oversight