SB 1576

                                      SECOND REGULAR SESSION
                            [TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED]
                SENATE BILL NO. 1576
                                      103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
                                                2026
 6797S.01T
                                                   AN ACT
 To amend chapter 620, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to a commission for the
           study of trade with Ireland.
 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:
1Section A. Chapter 620, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto
2  one new section, to be known as section 620.4100, to read as
3  follows:
1620.4100.  1.     There is hereby established in the
2  department of economic development the "Missouri Ireland
3  Trade Commission", which shall be composed of the following
4  nine members:
5(1)      Three members of the senate, appointed by the
6  president pro tempore of the senate, who shall have
7  knowledge of, or current or past involvement in,
8  organizations that promote Irish affairs, or have interest
9  in the well-being of trade relations between this state and
10  Ireland;
11(2)      Three members of the house of representatives,
12  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives,
13  who have knowledge of, or current or past involvement in,
14  organizations that promote Irish affairs, or have interest
15  in the well-being of trade relations between this state and
16  Ireland; and
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17(3)    Three members appointed by the governor, with the
18 advice and consent of the senate, who shall include the
19 following:
20(a)    One member who represents a public institution of
21 higher education in this state;
22(b)    One member who represents a statewide organization
23 that advances business interests in this state; and
24(c)    One member who represents Irish-American
25 communities or interest in this state.
262.    The commission shall study potential means of
27 advancing the following:
28(1)    Bilateral trade and investment between this state
29 and Ireland;
30(2)    Policy issues of mutual interest to this state and
31 Ireland;
32(3)    Business and academic exchanges between this state
33 and Ireland;
34(4)    Mutual economic support between this state and
35 Ireland;
36(5)    Mutual investment in the infrastructure of this
37 state and Ireland; and
38(6)    Any other issues as determined by the commission.
393.    Members of the commission shall be appointed not
40 later than ninety days after the effective date of this
41 section.     Members of the commission appointed from the
42 general assembly shall serve terms of two years or for the
43 remainder of the member's term, whichever is less.      Members
44 of the commission appointed by the governor shall serve
45 terms of four years.     Any vacancy on the commission shall be
46 filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
474.    Members of the commission shall serve without
48 compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses actually
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49 incurred in the performance of their duties, within the
50 limits of funds available to the commission for such
51 purposes.
525.   The commission shall meet and hold hearings at the
53 places it designates throughout the state.    The commission
54 shall elect a chairperson from among the members of the
55 commission.    The chairperson may appoint from the commission
56 members of subcommittees and subcommittee chairpersons at
57 the chairperson's discretion.    A majority of the members of
58 the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
59 of the business of the commission.
606.   Not later than fifteen months after the effective
61 date of this section, and annually thereafter, the
62 commission shall issue a report of its activities during the
63 preceding year and any associated findings and
64 recommendations to the governor, the president pro tempore
65 of the senate, and the speaker of the house of
66 representatives.
677.   The commission may raise funds through direct
68 solicitation or other fundraising events alone, or with
69 other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from
70 individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental
71 agencies, and public and private organizations and
72 institutions.    The funds, gifts, grants, or bequests
73 received pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the
74 "Missouri Ireland Trade Commission Fund", which is hereby
75 created in the state treasury.    The state treasurer shall be
76 custodian of the fund.    In accordance with sections 30.170
77 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements.
78 Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the
79 contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the end of the
80 biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general
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81 revenue fund.   The state treasurer shall invest moneys in
82 the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested.
83 Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be
84 credited to the fund.   The commission shall use the fund to
85 defray the commission's administrative expenses and to carry
86 out its purposes as provided in this section.
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