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.