An Act to Establish the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission and Improve Collaboration with Ireland
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2164
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Sponsors: STEWART, TERRY
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-K, 3 MRSA §1031

Legislative Document
No. 2164
S.P. 919
In Senate, January 11, 2024
An Act to Establish the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission and 
Improve Collaboration with Ireland
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203.
Reference to the Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and 
Business suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator STEWART of Aroostook.
Cosponsored by Representative TERRY of Gorham.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  3 MRSA c. 39 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 39
MAINE-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION
§1031. Commission established
The Maine-Ireland Trade Commission, referred to in this chapter as “the commission,” 
is established by Title 5, section 12004-K, subsection 10-A to promote cooperation 
between this State and the country of Ireland. 
§1032.  Membership; terms
1.  Membership.  The commission consists of 9 members appointed as follows:
A.  Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including 
one member of the party holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and one 
member of the party holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
B.  Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, including one member of the party holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature and one member of the party holding the 2nd largest 
number of seats in the Legislature; and
C.  The following 5 members, appointed by the Governor:
(1)  A representative of a public institution of higher education;
(2)  A representative of a statewide chamber of commerce;
(3)  Two members representing Irish-American communities, organizations or 
interests; and
(4)  One member of the public.
In making the appointments under this subsection, the appointing authorities shall, to the 
greatest extent possible, consider and appoint individuals with knowledge of or current or 
past involvement in organizations that promote Irish or Irish-American affairs.  
2.  Terms.  Legislative members of the commission serve during the term of office for 
which they were elected.  The members of the commission appointed pursuant to 
subsection 1, paragraph C serve 4-year terms. 
§1033. Vacancies
A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for 
which the member’s predecessor was appointed serves only for the remainder of that term. 
The vacancy must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.  
§1034. Chair
The commission shall elect a chair from among its members.  The chair may appoint 
from among the commission members subcommittees and subcommittee chairs at the 
chair's discretion.  
§1035. Quorum
A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum and a quorum is 
required for the transaction of the business of the commission. 
§1036. Duties
The commission shall work to advance bilateral trade and investment between Maine 
and Ireland; initiate joint action of policy issues of mutual interest to Maine and Ireland; 
promote business and academic exchanges between Maine and Ireland; encourage mutual 
economic support between Maine and Ireland; encourage mutual investment in the 
infrastructure of Maine and Ireland; and address other issues as determined by the 
commission. 
§1037. Report
The commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development, economic 
advancement and business matters by February 1, 2025 and annually thereafter regarding 
the activities of the commission during the preceding calendar year.  The report must 
include recommendations as determined appropriate by the commission to effectuate its 
purpose. 
§1038. Funds
The commission may raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising 
methods, alone or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants and bequests from individuals, 
corporations, foundations, governmental agencies and public and private organizations and 
institutions. The commission may expend those funds for purposes consistent with this 
chapter.
Sec. 2.  5 MRSA §12004-K, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 786, §5, is amended 
to read:
The primary responsibility of intergovernmental organizations is to establish 
cooperation between this State and other states or Canadian provinces or other countries.
Sec. 3.  5 MRSA §12004-K, sub-§10-A is enacted to read:
10-A.
State 
Government 
Maine-Ireland Trade Commission 
Expenses Only 
MRSA 
§1031
Sec. 
4. 
Staggered 
terms; 
Maine-Ireland 
Trade 
Commission.  
Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 1032, subsection 2, of the 
members initially appointed to the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission by the Governor 
pursuant to Title 3, section 1032, subsection 1, paragraph C, the Governor shall designate 
the first 2 appointments for 3-year terms and the remaining appointments for 4-year terms.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission to promote cooperation 
between Maine and Ireland.