2023 WISCONSIN ACT 170
An Act to create 19.42 (13) (or) and 238.29 of the statutes; relating to: requiring the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to create the Wisconsin-Ireland Trade Commission.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
170,1mSection 1m. 19.42 (13) (or) of the statutes is created to read: 19.42 (13) (or) The members of the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission under s. 238.29.
170,1rSection 1r. 238.29 of the statutes is created to read: 238.29 Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. (1) Definition. In this section, “commission” means the advisory body established by the corporation under sub. (2).
(2) Creation. The corporation shall establish an advisory body, to be known as the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission. The corporation shall provide administrative support for the commission.
(3) Composition; appointments; vacancies. (a) The commission shall consist of 7 members, appointed as follows:
1. Two senators, who shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The members shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
2. Two representatives to the assembly, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly. The members shall have knowledge of or current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
3. Three members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to serve for 2-year terms. The members shall include at least one representative from an institution, as defined in s. 36.05 (9), or a technical college under ch. 38; at least one representative from an organization that represents business interests in this state; and at least one member who represents Irish-American communities or interests.
(b) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4) Administration. (a) Compensation; reimbursement. A member of the commission shall receive no compensation for services but shall be reimbursed by the corporation for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of duties.
(b) Meetings; chairperson. 1. The commission shall meet on the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members. The commission may meet or hold hearings at any location as will best serve the citizens of this state.
2. The commission shall elect a chairperson from amongst its members every 2 years.
(c) Records; meetings. The commission’s records are subject to the right of examination and copying under s. 19.35 (1), and the commission’s meetings are subject to subch. V. of ch. 19.
(d) Quorum. A majority of the membership of the commission constitutes a quorum to do business, and a majority of a quorum may act in any matter within the jurisdiction of the commission.
(5) Purpose of the commission. The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Promote the advancement of bilateral trade and investment between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
(b) Recommend joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to this state and the Republic of Ireland.
(c) Promote business and academic exchanges between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
(d) Encourage mutual economic support between this state and the Republic of Ireland.
(e) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of this state and the Republic of Ireland.
(f) Address such other issues as are determined by the commission.
(6) Reports. The commission shall submit a written report of its findings, results, and recommendations to the governor and the legislature within one year after its initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year.
(7) Funding. The commission may raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions, to defray the commission’s administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes.
170,2Section 2. Nonstatutory provisions. (1) Initial appointments. All initial appointments to the Wisconsin-Ireland trade commission under s. 238.29 (3) (a) shall be made no later than July 1, 2024.
