Bill
HB 2344
Establishes a 13-member Kansas-Ireland Trade Commission to boost Kansas-Ireland trade, investment and exchanges, with a dedicated state fund and annual public reporting.
Status & key dates
- Introduced: February 3, 2025 (requested by Rep. Sean Tarwater; assigned to House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development)
- Hearing: Thursday, March 13, 2025 — 1:30 PM, Room 346‑S
- Fiscal note issued: February 19, 2025
Purpose
- Establish a Kansas‑Ireland Trade Commission to advance, promote, and encourage mutually beneficial activities between Kansas and Ireland, including trade and investment, policy coordination, business and academic exchanges, mutual infrastructure investment, and other opportunities for economic growth.
Key provisions
- Creates a 13‑member Kansas‑Ireland Trade Commission with membership drawn from:
- Chairs of the Senate and House commerce standing committees (appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker);
- Two state senators (one appointed by the Senate President, one by the Senate Minority Leader);
- Two state representatives (one by the House Speaker, one by the House Minority Leader);
- Six public appointees (two each selected by the Governor, the House Speaker, and the Senate President) drawn from Kansas postsecondary institutions, the Irish‑American community, Kansas industries doing or seeking trade with Ireland, or business/trade/economic development organizations; and
- The Kansas Secretary of Commerce or designee responsible for international trade.
- Representation limits:
- No more than one representative from any single public postsecondary institution, industry, business association, trade organization or chamber.
- No more than two representatives from the Kansas Irish community; if two are appointed they must not be of the same political party.
- Terms and operations:
- Legislative members serve terms concurrent with the biennial legislative session and must remain legislators to retain membership; nonlegislative members serve three‑year terms.
- Meetings at least quarterly in Topeka; majority constitutes a quorum. Chairmanship alternates between the House and Senate commerce committee chairs (initial two years: House chair; next two years: Senate chair).
- Commission may form subcommittees and must keep public records of proceedings.
- Reporting:
- Initial written report of findings, activities and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the commission’s initial meeting.
- Annual written report due by February 1 each year thereafter covering the prior calendar year; may include recommended legislation.
- Fund and fundraising authority:
- Establishes the Kansas‑Ireland Trade Commission Fund in the state treasury, administered by the commission chair or designee; the chair may request the Secretary of Commerce administer the fund.
- Commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants and bequests; all receipts deposited into the fund and expenditures require a majority vote of the commission.
- Fiscal-note language provides for monthly transfer from the State General Fund to the commission fund of the fund’s average daily balance multiplied by the pooled money investment portfolio’s net earnings rate for the preceding month (i.e., an interest/earnings transfer mechanism as described).
- Administrative support:
- Staff assistance available from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Research Department and Division of Legislative Administrative Services as requested.
- Department of Commerce may administer the fund if requested and expects to manage within existing resources.
Fiscal impact (from fiscal note)
- Department of Commerce estimates a one‑time/ongoing reimbursement cost of $10,400 for member meeting reimbursements, calculated as 13 members × 4 meetings × $200 per meeting.
- Commerce indicates it can manage fund administration within existing resources if requested.
- Legislative agencies and local governments report no additional fiscal impact within current resources; Board of Regents notes possible fiscal effects only if the commission increases Irish student enrollment at public institutions.
- Effects are not reflected in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
Who would be affected
- Kansas businesses and industries engaged in or seeking trade/investment with Ireland; Kansas economic development organizations and chambers; public postsecondary institutions (for academic exchanges and potential student flows); members of the Kansas Irish community; Department of Commerce and legislative staff involved in commission work; state budget insofar as reimbursements and fund administration occur.
Procedural notes
- The bill requires appointments by legislative leaders and the Governor to constitute the commission. It mandates public reporting and authorizes fundraising and a dedicated state fund to support commission activities.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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