Amendment #1036 to H4600

Massachusetts Ireland Trade Commission

Mr. Lawn of Watertown moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new section:-_

SECTION YY. Chapter 23A of the General is hereby amended by inserting after section 13U the following section:-

Section 13V. (a) There shall be established a commission on Massachusetts-Ireland Trade within the international trade office which shall advance and promote the economic interests of, and strengthen the relationship between, the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland. The commission shall study, research and advance analyses, and make recommendations to: (i) advance the bilateral trade and investments between the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland; (ii) initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to the Commonwealth and Rhode Island; (iii) promote business and academic exchanges between the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland; (iv) encourage mutual economic support between; (v) further investments in the infrastructure of the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland; (vi) aid communities in the Commonwealth and the Republic of Ireland through the creation of economic and educational opportunities, and; (vii) address such other issues as the commission deems necessary.

(b) The commission shall consist of the following 21 members: 6 past or current members of the house of representatives, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house, 6 past or current members of the senate, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president and 2 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 6 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be the Irish consul general to New England, or a designee, 1 of whom shall be the secretary of the Commonwealth, or a designee, 1 of whom shall be the secretary of economic development, or a designee, 3 of whom shall be from an institute of higher education, but shall not be affiliated with the same institution; and 3 of whom shall be appointed from a list of no less than 5 persons submitted to the Governor by the Irish consul general to New England, all of whom shall be from a public organization promoting Irish American affairs, but shall not be affiliated with the same organization. All commission members shall be persons with knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish American affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between the Commonwealth and Republic of Ireland.

The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for any unusual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Members shall be considered special state employees for the purposes of chapter 268A.

The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice chair, a treasurer, and any other officers it deems necessary.

The commission shall hold meetings at the places it designates throughout the state

A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the commission.

(c) The commission shall annually report its findings together with recommendations for legislation, if any, to the governor, speaker of the house, senate president, the secretary of economic development no later than August 31st for the immediately preceding fiscal year. The report shall be in writing and include recommendations as deemed appropriate by the commission to effectuate its purpose, as provided by this section.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #1036 to H4600

Massachusetts Ireland Trade Commission