ON APRIL 10, 2023, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1284, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to require any domestic corporation or a foreign corporation that uses an assumed corporate name, domestic corporation or a foreign corporation that uses an assumed corporate name, LLC or a foreign LLC that uses an assumed name, partnership, registered limited liability partnership that uses an assumed name, foreign registered limited liability partnership that uses an assumed name, limited partnership that uses an assumed name, or foreign limited partnership that uses an assumed name, prior to doing business with Tennessee or a political subdivision of Tennessee to file with the secretary of state a disclosure setting forth the true identity of each incorporator, member, or partner of the entity, as applicable.
The provisions of this amendment take effect January 1, 2025.
ON APRIL 24, 2024, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1284 FOR HOUSE BILL 1061, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1284, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 rewrites the bill to create the Tennessee-Ireland trade commission ("commission"), as described below.
COMMISSION COMPOSITION
This amendment provides that the commission is composed of the following 11 members:
(1) Two members of the senate, one from each party, to be appointed by the speaker of the senate, with preference to be given to a senator who is a member of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus;
(2) Two members of the house of representatives, one from each party, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, with preference to be given to a representative who is a member of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus;
(3) The chair of the state and local government committee of the senate, or the chair's designee who must be an elected member of the senate;
(4) The chair of the state government committee of the house of representatives, or the chair's designee who must be an elected member of the house of representatives;
(5) The commissioner of commerce and insurance, or the commissioner's designee;
(6) An individual recognized for the individual's achievements and experience in international business, to be appointed by the governor;
(7) An individual who is active in Irish-American cultural and civic affairs, with preference for an individual with a history of cooperation in the legislative process, to be appointed by the speaker of the senate;
(8) An individual active in public higher education who has an interest in Tennessee-Ireland trade relations to be appointed by the chancellor of the University of Tennessee system; and
(9) The president of the Tennessee Business Leadership Council, or the president's designee.
This amendment provides that the members appointed under (6)-(8) above serve terms of three years, and are eligible for reappointment to the commission following the expiration of their terms.
In making appointments to the commission, this amendment requires the appointing authorities to coordinate the appointments to ensure that the commission membership is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of this state. Whenever a vacancy on the commission exists, the appointing authority must appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND MEETINGS
This amendment requires the speaker of the senate to call the first meeting of the commission, to be held at a date no later than September 20, 2024, at which the members must elect a chair from among the legislative membership and assign study and reporting responsibilities to the members. Members of the commission serve without compensation and are not entitled to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
This amendment requires the commission to raise all moneys necessary to fund activities of the commission, including meetings and travel related to the commission's purposes. The commission must provide to the secretary of state a notice of all meetings, the name of each member serving on the commission, and a copy of all reports and written recommendations produced by the commission.
This amendment requires the commission to meet at least twice per year. A quorum for a meeting is six members. The commission may meet by electronic means, including for its first meeting.
PURPOSE OF COMMISSION
This amendment provides that the purpose of the commission is to do the following:
(1) Advance bilateral trade and investment between this state and the Republic of Ireland;
(2) Encourage mutual investment in this state and the Republic of Ireland, especially in infrastructure and human capital;
(3) Promote business, educational, and cultural exchanges between this state and the Republic of Ireland;
(4) Take joint action on policy issues of mutual agreement between this state and the Republic of Ireland; and
(5) Address other issues as determined necessary by the commission.
ANNUAL REPORT
This amendment requires the commission to annually submit a report to the speaker of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than January 15, 2025, and each year thereafter. The report must include (i) the number of times the commission met during the preceding 12 months; (ii) the minutes of the commission's meetings; and (iii) any recommendations or requests that may assist the commission's work.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
This amendment requires the department of economic and community development to provide administrative and professional services as needed to the commission. The department of economic and community development must provide the administrative and professional services using existing resources.
TERMINATION
This amendment provides that the commission will terminate on June 30, 2026.
ON APRIL 24, 2024, THE SENATE NON-CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #2.
ON APRIL 24, 2024, THE HOUSE REFUSED TO RECEDE FROM ITS ADOPTION OF HOUSE AMENDMENT #2.
ON APRIL 25, 2024, THE SENATE REFUSED TO RECEDE FROM ITS NON-CONCURRENCE IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #2 AND APPOINTED A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
ON APRIL 25, 2024, THE HOUSE APPOINTED A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
ON APRIL 25, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT.
ON APRIL 25, 2024, THE HOUSE ADOPTED THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 62-6-136(a), 62-6-136, 62-6-136(b)