ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM., the official text

Enrolled HB 278 
 Establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and providing for an effective date. 
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 * Section 1. AS 44.33 is amended by adding a new section to read: 
 Article 7A. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. 
 Sec. 44.33.440. Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. (a) The Alaska-Ireland 
 Trade Commission is established in the department. 
 (b) The commission consists of the following members: 
 (1) five members appointed by the governor; 
 (2) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the 
 speaker of the house of representatives; and 
 (3) two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate. 
 (c) The members of the commission appointed under (b)(1) of this section 
 serve staggered three-year terms. The members of the commission appointed under

(b)(2) and (3) of this section serve two-year terms. A member of the commission 
 serves at the pleasure of the member's appointing authority. 
 (d) The purpose of the commission is to 
 (1) advance bilateral trade and investment between the state and 
 Ireland; 
 (2) initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to the state 
 and Ireland; 
 (3) promote business, entrepreneurship, new venture development, and 
 academic exchanges between the state and Ireland; 
 (4) promote research collaborations and funding opportunities that 
 advance the mutual interests of the state and Ireland; 
 (5) encourage mutual economic support between the state and Ireland; 
 (6) encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of the state and 
 Ireland; and 
 (7) address other issues as determined by the commission. 
 (e) The commission shall elect a chair from among its members. A majority of 
 the members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 
 (f) Except for meetings held outside of the state that the commission 
 determines should be conducted in person, the commission shall meet by electronic 
 means. The commission shall provide public notice of a meeting at least seven days 
 before the meeting. 
 (g) If the department obtains the information required under (i)(1) of this 
 section and provides a copy of that information to the commission, the department 
 may accept a grant, donation, or gift from a public or private source to pay for 
 (1) per diem and travel expenses of the commission; or 
 (2) other assistance and support the commission requires to carry out 
 the purposes of this section. 
 (h) Except as permitted under (g)(1) of this section, members of the 
 commission serve without compensation and are not entitled to per diem and travel 
 expenses authorized by law under AS 39.20.180. 
 (i) By the 30th day of each regular legislative session, the commission shall

prepare a report, deliver the report to the governor, senate secretary, and chief clerk of 
 the house of representatives, and notify the legislature that the report is available. The 
 report must include 
 (1) information on the grants, donations, and gifts accepted under (g) 
 of this section in the previous year, including 
 (A) the date and amount or value of each grant, donation, and 
 gift; 
 (B) the total amount or value of all grants, donations, and gifts; 
 (C) the name and address of each person who made a grant, 
 donation, or gift, and the dates and total amount or value of the grants, 
 donations, or gifts; and 
 (D) for grants, donations, or gifts in excess of $50 in the 
 aggregate during the previous year, the principal occupation and employer of 
 the person who made the grant, donation, or gift; and 
 (2) the commission's findings, results, and recommendations. 
 (j) The commission may not contract for writing services or support to prepare 
 the report required under (i) of this section unless a grant, donation, or gift is made for 
 that purpose under (g) of this section. The department may not provide staff to the 
 commission to provide writing services or support to prepare the report required under 
 (i) of this section. 
 (k) In this section, "department" means the Department of Commerce, 
 Community, and Economic Development. 
 * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 
 read: 
 INITIAL APPOINTMENT; STAGGERED TERMS. Notwithstanding 
 AS 44.33.440(b)(1), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, the members of the Alaska-Ireland Trade 
 Commission appointed under AS 44.33.440(b)(1), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, are appointed 
 to initial terms as follows: 
 (1) one member shall serve a one-year term; 
 (2) two members shall serve two-year terms; and 
 (3) two members shall serve three-year terms.

* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).