H 1176

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
  SESSION 2025
 H  1
  HOUSE BILL 1176
 Short Title:   North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission.  (Public)
 Sponsors:      Representatives K. Hall, Strickland, Lambeth, and Blackwell (Primary
  Sponsors).
  For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
 Referred to:   Commerce and Economic Development, if favorable, Appropriations, if
  favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
  May 4, 2026
1A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO CREATE THE NORTH CAROLINA-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION.
3 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
4SECTION 1. Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new
5 Article to read:
6"Article 85.
7"North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission.
8 "§ 143-821. North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission created; membership.
9      (a)    Commission Created. – The North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission is created.
10 The Commission is administratively located in the Department of Commerce but shall exercise
11 its powers independently of the Secretary of Commerce.
12      (b)    Membership. – The Commission shall consist of the following seven members:
13(1)    Two members of the Senate, one from each party, to be appointed by the
14President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
15(2)    Two members of the House of Representatives, one from each party, to be
16appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
17(3)    An individual who is active in Irish-American cultural and civic affairs, with
18preference for an individual with a history of cooperation in the legislative
19process, to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
20(4)    An individual active in public higher education who has an interest in North
21Carolina-Ireland trade relations, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House
22of Representatives.
23(5)    An individual recognized for the individual's achievements and experience in
24international business, to be appointed by the Governor.
25      (c)    Terms. – Members of the Commission shall serve terms of three years and are eligible
26 for reappointment.
27      (d)    Vacancies. – Whenever a vacancy on the Commission exists, the appointing authority
28 shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
29      (e)    Officers. – Members of the Commission may elect a chair and vice-chair of the
30 Commission.
31      (f)    Quorum. – A majority of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
32 business.
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 General Assembly Of North Carolina  Session 2025
1     (g)     Administrative Services. – The Department of Commerce shall provide
2 administrative services to the Commission.
3     (h)     Meetings. – The Commission shall meet at least twice per year.
4 "§ 143-822. Duties of North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission.
5     The North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission has the following duties:
6(1)      Encourage bilateral trade between this State and Ireland.
7(2)      Encourage mutual investment in this State and Ireland, especially in
8infrastructure and employment.
9(3)      Promote business, educational, and cultural exchanges between this State and
10Ireland.
11(4)      Take joint action on policy issues of mutual agreement between this State and
12Ireland.
13(5)      Submit an annual report to the General Assembly that includes the following:
14a.      The number of times the Commission met during the preceding year.
15b.      The minutes of the Commission's meetings.
16c.      Any recommendations or requests that may assist the Commission's
17work.
18(6)      Address any other related issues, as determined necessary by the
19Commission."
20SECTION 2. By October 1, 2027, the North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission
21 shall submit its first annual report under G.S. 143-822(5), as enacted by Section 1 of this act.
22SECTION 3.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
23 Commerce the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027
24 fiscal year to provide administrative services to the North Carolina-Ireland Trade Commission.
25SECTION 3.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2026.
26SECTION 4. Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective October 1,
27 2026.
 Page 2  House Bill 1176-First Edition