An Act to Establish the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission and Improve Collaboration with Ireland
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2164
Committee Amendment CA_A_S637 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-K

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " /j " to S.P. 919, L.D. 2164, "An Act to Establish the
Maine-Ireland Trade Commission and Improve Collaboration with Ireland"
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
'An Act to Establish the IVIaine-IsIand of Ireland Trade Commission and Improve
Collaboration with the Island of Ireland'
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the
following:
'See. 1. 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. 2. 5 MRSA §12004-K, sub-§10-A is enacted to read:
10-A.
State Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Not Authorized 10MRSA
Government Commission §2]_
Sec. 3. 10 MRSA c. 1-B is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 1-B
MAINE-ISLAND OF IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION
§21. Maine-lsland of Ireland Trade Commission
The Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission, referred to in this section as "the
commission." is established by Title 5. section 12004-K. subsection 10-A to promote
cooperation between this State and the island of Ireland,
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " f^ to S.P. 919, L.D. 2164 i5'laS~l}
1. Mlembership. 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_Qf_Re)3resentatives, including one member of the party holding the largest
number of seats in the Legislature and one member ofthe^rty_holcHng_the 2nd largest
number of seats in the Legislature; and
C. The following 5 members, appointed by the Governor:
d) 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
f4) 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 inyolyement in organizations that promote Irish or Irish-American affairs.
2. Terms. Legislative members of the commission serve during the term of office for
which_ the^were _eLected,_The members of the commission appointed pursuant to
subsection 1, paragraph C serve 4-year terms,
3. Compensation. Notwithstanding Title 3, section 2 or any other provision of law to
the contrary members of the commission serve without compensation,
4. 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.
5. Chair, vice-chair and subcommittees.. The commission shall elect a chair and a
vice-chair from among its members, The chair may appoint from among the commission
members subcommittees and subcommittee chairs at thechair's_discretion,
6. IVIeetines. The first-namecl_Senate member shall call the initial meeting of the
commission within 30 days after the 6th member is appointed. The commission shall meet
at such times and places as are agreed to by the commission but shall meet at leasl_once
annually.
7. 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.
8. Duties. The commissionsh.allwork to advance bilateral trade and investment
between Maine and the island of Ireland; initiate joint action of policy issues of mutual
interest to Maine and the island of Ireland; promote business and academic exchanges
between Maine and the island of Ireland; encourage mutual economic support between
Maine and the island of Ireland; encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of Maine
and island of Ireland; and address other issues as determined by the commission,
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" H " to S.P. 919, L.D. 2164
ft " to S.P. 919, L.D. 2164 fe^Sll
9. Report. The commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint
]^0ig standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over innovation, development.
3" 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 effectyate
its purpose under this section. After reviewing the report under this subsection, the joint
standing committee may report out legislation relating to the report.
10. Funding. To support its activities under this section, the commission shall_seek
outside funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising methods, alone or with other
grouBS, and. maY_acceBt gifts,_graiits and bequests from individuals, corporations.
foundations, governmental agencies and public and private organizations and may expend
those funds for purposes consistent with this section.
11. Staffing. Subject to the availability of funding under subsection 10, the
commission shall contract for or employ administrative, professional,_clerical and other
necessary staff to support its activities under this section.
Sec. 4. Staggered terms; Maine-lsland of Ireland Trade Commission.
Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 21, subsection 2, of the
members initially appointed to the Maine-Island of Ireland Trade Commission by the
Governor pursuant to Title 10, section 21, subsection 1, paragraph C, the Governor shall
designate the first 3 appointments for 3-year terms and the remaining appointments for 4-
year terms.
Sec. 5. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and
allocations are made.
MAmE-ISLAND OF IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION
IMaine-IsIand of Ireland Trade Commission N492
Initiative: Provides a baseline allocation for authorized expenditures of the commission in
the event that outside funds are received.
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 2023-24 2024-25
AllOther $0 $500
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL $0 $500
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section
number to read consecutively.
SUMMARY
6 This amendment replaces the bill and changes the title, It establishes the Maine-Island
of Ireland Trade Commission to promote cooperation between the State and the island of
Ireland. It stipulates the membership and duties, as in the bill, and provides the following
changes.
1. It clarifies that members of the commission, including legislative members, serve
without compensation,
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT " ^ " to S.P. 919, L.D. 2164
2. It requires the commission to seek outside funding to support its activities and
provides that, subject to the availability of funding, the commission must contract for or
employ administrative, professional, clerical and other necessaiy staff.
3. It moves the law establishing the commission from the Maine Revised Statutes,
Title 3 to Title 10 and makes other technical changes.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Approved: 03/27/24 .^KTC*-
LD 2164 LR 2636(02)
An Act to Establish the Maine-Ireland Trade Commission and Improve Collaboration with Ireland
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '^,7
Committee: Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Projections Projections
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27
Appropriations/Allocations
Other Special Revenue Funds $0 $500 $500 $500
iscal Detail and Notes
The bill provides a baseline allocation of $500 beginning in fiscal year 2024-25 for the Maine-Island of Ireland Trade
Commission for authorized expenditures in the event that outside funds are received.
LR2636(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of;