00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 278                                                                          
01 "An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and providing for an                                          
02 effective date."                                                                                                        
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1. AS 44.33 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                  
05                 Article 7A. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission.                                                          
06            Sec. 44.33.440. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. (a) The Alaska-Ireland                                    
07       Trade Commission is established in the Department of Commerce, Community, and                                     
08       Economic Development.                                                                                             
09            (b)  The commission consists of five members appointed by the governor. The                                  
10       members of the commission serve two-year terms at the pleasure of the governor.                                   
11            (c)  The purpose of the commission is to                                                                     
12                 (1)  advance bilateral trade and investment between the state and                                       
13       Ireland;                                                                                                          
14                 (2)  initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to the state                             

01       and Ireland;                                                                                                      
02                 (3)  promote business and academic exchanges between the state and                                      
03       Ireland;                                                                                                          
04                 (4)  encourage mutual economic support between the state and Ireland;                                   
05                 (5)  encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of the state and                                 
06       Ireland; and                                                                                                      
07                 (6)  address other issues as determined by the commission.                                              
08            (d)  The commission shall elect a chair from among its members. A majority of                                
09       the members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.                                
10 (e)  The commission shall provide public notice of a meeting at least seven                                             
11       days before the meeting.                                                                                          
12 (f)  The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development                                                    
13 may accept gifts, donations, and grants from public and private sources to assist and                                   
14       support the commission in carrying out the purposes of this section.                                              
15    * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                          
16 read:                                                                                                                   
17 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. The Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission shall                                                    
18 prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report of the commission's findings,                           
19 results, and recommendations. The commission shall submit the report on or before the 30th                              
20 day of the First Regular Session of the Thirty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature. The commission                           
21 shall deliver the report to the senate secretary and the chief clerk of the house of                                    
22 representatives and notify the legislature that the report is available.                                                
23    * Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).