Bill
SB 996
Creates a formal North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission to boost bilateral trade, investment, and exchanges, with independent operation and annual reporting.
Purpose
- Establish the North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission to promote and coordinate bilateral trade, investment, and exchanges between North Carolina and Ireland.
- Position the Commission within the Department of Commerce for administrative support while preserving independent decision-making authority.
Key Provisions
1) Creation and Structure
- Establishes the North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission (Article 85 of Chapter 143).
- Administrative location: Department of Commerce, but powers exercised independently of the Secretary of Commerce.
- Size and membership (seven members):
- Senate: Two members (one from each party), appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
- House: Two members (one from each party), appointed by the Speaker of the House.
- Irish-American representative: One member active in Irish-American cultural/civic affairs (preference for someone with legislative collaboration experience), appointed by the President Pro Tempore.
- Higher education representative: One member active in public higher education with an interest in NC-Ireland trade, appointed by the Speaker.
- International business expert: One member with recognized achievements/experience in international business, appointed by the Governor.
- Terms: Three-year terms, eligible for reappointment.
- Vacancies: Filled by the appointing authority.
- Officers: Commission may elect a chair and vice-chair.
- Quorum: Majority of the Commission.
- Administrative Services: Provided by the Department of Commerce.
- Meetings: At least twice per year.
2) Duties and Functions
- Core objectives:
- Encourage bilateral trade between North Carolina and Ireland.
- Promote mutual investment (NC and Ireland), with emphasis on infrastructure and employment.
- Promote business, educational, and cultural exchanges.
- Take joint action on policy issues of mutual interest.
- Reporting:
- Submit an annual report to the General Assembly (as per subsection 143-822(5)) detailing:
- Number of meetings held in the preceding year.
- Meeting minutes.
- Recommendations or requests to assist the Commission’s work.
- Address other related issues as determined by the Commission.
3) Timeline and Reporting Obligations
- First annual report deadline: By October 1, 2027, the Commission must submit its first annual report under G.S. 143-822(5).
- Effective dates:
- Section 3(a) provides a one-time appropriation (nonrecurring) of $10,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support administrative services (Department of Commerce).
- Section 3(b) effective date: July 1, 2026.
- General effective date: October 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified.
4) Funding and Administration
- Budget: A nonrecurring appropriation of $10,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce for administrative support in 2026-2027.
- Administrative relationship: Despite being administratively housed in the Department of Commerce, the Commission operates independently.
Who is Affected
Impact Overview
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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