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Bill

S 78

An act relating to the creation of the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Baruth and 18 co-sponsors

Creates the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade, investment, and exchanges, operating under the State Treasurer with a sunset in 2030.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs
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Bill Summary · S 78

Overview

  • Bill: S.78 (2025-2026) from Vermont Senate
  • Title: An act relating to the creation of the Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission
  • Purpose: Establish a Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission to advance bilateral trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Vermont and Ireland. The commission would operate within the State Treasurer’s office and have a defined set of duties, membership, and funding mechanisms. The act provides for a sunset repeal in 2030.

What the bill would create

  • A new Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission (VITC) within the State Treasurer’s office.
  • The Commission is tasked with promoting:
    • Bilateral trade and investment between Vermont and Ireland
    • Joint action on policy issues of mutual interest
    • Business and academic exchanges
    • Mutual economic support and mutual investment in infrastructure
    • Other issues determined by the Commission

Composition and appointment

  • Total membership: 10 members plus the State Treasurer or designee
    • 3 appointed by the Governor
    • 3 appointed by the Speaker of the House
    • 3 appointed by the Senate Committee on Committees
    • 1 State Treasurer or designee
  • Term details:
    • Members other than the State Treasurer/designee serve four-year terms and may be reappointed.
    • Initial terms are staggered for some appointments to establish continuity:
    • Governor-appointed members: initial terms of 2 years each
    • Speaker-appointed members: initial terms of 3 years each
  • Vacancies: filled within 90 days by the relevant appointing authority
  • Leadership: Commission selects a chair from among its members at the first meeting; chair may form subcommittees as needed
  • Quorum: a majority of the Commission members

powers and duties

  • The Commission may raise funds through direct solicitation or other fundraising, and may receive donations, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and other organizations.
  • Funds are deposited into a dedicated bank account and allocated annually by the State Treasurer to cover administrative expenses and carry out the Commission’s purposes.
  • Interest earned remains in the bank account.
  • Commission members do not receive compensation or expense reimbursement from the state.

reporting and timeline

  • Annual reporting: The Commission must provide a written report with findings, results, and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly within one year of its initial organizational meeting, and again by December 1 of each subsequent year covering that calendar year’s activities.

Budgetary and sunset provisions

  • The act authorizes the Commission to seek and spend funds (as described) but does not appropriate a specific operating budget within the text.
  • Repeal: Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission (9 V.S.A. § 4129) would be repealed on June 30, 2030, effectively creating a sunset unless further legislation extends it.

Effective dates and implementation

  • Effective date: July 1, 2025
  • Initial appointments due by October 1, 2025
  • Repeal date: June 30, 2030 unless extended

Who is affected

  • Vermont state government, particularly:
    • State Treasurer’s office (administrative home of the Commission)
    • Vermont Governor, the House Speaker, and the Senate Committee on Committees (through appointment powers)
  • Stakeholders potentially affected indirectly:
    • Vermont businesses, universities, and researchers seeking Ireland-related opportunities
    • Irish partners and bilateral trade/investment initiatives
    • Fundraising and grant-receiving organizations collaborating with the Commission

Summary

S.78 would create a new Vermont-Ireland Trade Commission to foster trade, investment, and cultural/academic exchanges between Vermont and Ireland. It establishes a 10-member commission (plus the Treasurer/designee) with a structure for staggered terms, empowers fundraising and grant activities, and requires annual reporting. The Commission would operate under the State Treasurer and would sunset on June 30, 2030, unless extended. Initial appointments would be due by October 1, 2025, with the act taking effect July 1, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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