Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
02/24/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB130 | |
| HB278 | |
| HB130 | |
| HB278 | |
| HJR23 | |
| HB290|| HCR10 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 250 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 278 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HJR 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 290 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 278-ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM.
3:46:22 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 278, "An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland
Trade Commission; and providing for an effective date."
3:46:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIA COSTELLO, as prime sponsor, introduced HB
278. This bill creates an Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission for
economic development. It is made up of five members and is
housed in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development (DCCED). Ireland has become a hub for many
technology companies. She said it is the gateway into the
European union. The bill is intended to provide trade
opportunities. Twenty-five other states have similar trade
commissions.
ZACH YOUNG, Staff, Representative Mia Costello, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Costello, prime
sponsor, reviewed the sectional analysis for HB 278 [included in
the committee file] which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Section 1. Establishes the Alaska-Ireland Trade
Commission within the Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development as a state
commission. States the overall purpose: to promote,
develop, and expand economic, educational, and
cultural relations between Alaska and Ireland.
Specifies that the commission consists of five members
appointed by the governor, with members serving at the
pleasure of the governor for two-year terms. Requires
the commission to elect a chair from among its members
and allows it to meet as necessary, subject to public
notice and Alaska's open meetings requirements.
Authorizes the department to accept and spend gifts,
donations, and grants from public and private sources
on behalf of the commission to carry out its work,
thereby limiting reliance on general fund
appropriations.
Section 2. Requires the commission to submit a written
report of its activities, findings, and
recommendations to the governor and the legislature by
the 30th day of the First Regular Session of the 35th
Alaska Legislature.
Section 3. Sets and immediate effective date
3:50:05 PM
SENATOR MARK DALY, Seanad ireann [Ireland Senate], provided
invited testimony on HB 278. He said Ireland is a gateway to
Europe, a market of 450 million people. Ireland is the sixth
largest investor in the United States. This bill would provide
an education partnership. In their committee, they look at
proposals coming out of Europe that affect Alaska. Through the
commission proposed under HB 278, Alaska would be creating
contacts in Ireland and the Ireland Cabinet. Northern Ireland
is involved in this work as well. Northern Ireland can access
the United Kingdom (UK) market, as well as the Europe market.
3:55:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said thanks to Representative Costello for
bringing the bill forward. She wondered about other trade
commissions with staggering terms to allow continuity. Also,
she asked whether someone should be appointed by the Senate
President or Speaker of the House. She further asked whether
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCEED) would need to be on the commission.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO replied that she would be open to
allowing for staggered positions. The drafters of the
legislation indicated they would have to be appointed by the
governor.
MR. DALY stated each state does it differently and sometimes
they do stagger terms. Generally, the commission meets four
times a year. There are a lot of events with briefing of
information. Every August, the commission is invited to come to
Ireland. The commission doesn't require much support. The
commissioners of Ireland have come to the state of the state
event and meet with various committees, as well as companies.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that DCCED supports the commission
to help with the logistics but doesn't need a seat.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO replied there is no need for staff. The
commission can raise its own funds. She pointed out that DCEED
provided a fiscal note [included in the committee file]. Other
states have a commission without state assistance.
4:01:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said he was contacted by someone to set
up a trade commissioner for Southeast Asia. He expressed
interest in the focus on Ireland and asked how this fits in
formal trade structures.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO said that the origination is because
she's Irish. Mr. Daly contacted her about a Friends of Ireland
caucus opportunity. Further, she noted that she had gone on a
trade mission to Asia with the former governor.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND stated he is curious about the fiscal
note. There are lots of trade trips going on by the
administration. He asked whether there was a way to modify the
fiscal note.
4:03:55 PM
HANNAH LAGER, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development,
answered questions on HB 278. There are other trade activities,
and the department has an international trade director using
existing travel authority. This fiscal note has the travel
costs. There is a place for program receipts for donations.
4:05:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she spent two weeks in Ireland. In
her conversations with locals, Irishmen are very similar to
Alaskans. Ireland has lots of workforce development. Ahe
opined that HB 278 is brilliant and a good match for Alaska.
She asked, "When it comes to trade, what does the sponsor see as
opportunities?"
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO replied innovation and economic growth.
One way is to attract a large company to come to the state.
Most of the economic growth is through small business. There is
also educational opportunity. She said when she was on the
delegation to Asia, she saw the opportunities for trade. This
is a person-to-person instead of a government-to-government
endeavor.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she wanted to highlight her experience
as she spent her time outside of the cities in Ireland.
4:09:00 PM
MR. DALY stated that Ireland is a very small place. Barriers
can be lifted easily. He discussed Alaska seafoods not being
able to get into the Europe Markets. He said Ireland went from
beer and biscuits economy with a transformation of education
through workforce training. Ireland can be the gateway to the
European Union. He highlighted the West Virginia workforce
training program. There are 20 more states in the pipeline to
have commissions.
4:11:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said she recognizes the trade
commission's purpose. She mentioned that Alaska is working on
language revitalization.
MR. DALY replied this is an area where Alaska and Ireland could
work together.
4:14:45 PM
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HB 278.
BRETT HUBER, State Director, Americans for Prosperity - Alaska
testified that the organization has conditional support for HB
278. He offered his understanding that some states don't use
any state funding and said he doesn't see a necessity to spend
state funds if the report is left to the discretion of the
committee. The governor could select members for the trade
commission, and the members could serve on their own dime. He
opined that this is a great opportunity to be funded by the
private sector.
4:18:30 PM
CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 278.
4:19:10 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that HB 278 was held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 130 Fiscal Note DOA-DOP-02-21-26.pdf |
HSTA 2/24/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 130 |
| HB 278 Supporting Documents.pdf |
HSTA 2/24/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 278 |
| HJR 23 HSTA Follow Up Response 2.23.26.pdf |
HSTA 2/24/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 23 |
| HB 290 HCR 10 Backup Resolution Timing 2-24-26.pdf |
HSTA 2/24/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 290 HCR 10 |