ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4055

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 19, 2023

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4055.

      As amended, this bill establishes in, but not of, the Department of State the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission.  The commission is to consist of 23 members to be appointed by the President of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly, the minority leader of the General Assembly, and the Governor.

      The purpose of the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission is to:

· advance bilateral trade and investment between New Jersey and Ireland;

· initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to New Jersey and Ireland;

· promote business and academic exchanges between New Jersey and Ireland;

· encourage mutual economic support between New Jersey and Ireland;

· encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of New Jersey and Ireland; and

· address any other issues as determined by the commission.

      The bill requires the commission to report its findings, results, and recommendations to the Governor, and the Legislature within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1st of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year. 

      The bill authorizes the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission to raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions, to defray the commission’s administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  increase the membership of the New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission from 15 to 23 members;

      (2)  provide that the President of the Senate will appoint four members of the Legislature to the commission, two of whom are required to have current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Jersey and Ireland;

      (3)  provide that the Speaker of the General Assembly will appoint four members of the Legislature to the commission, two of whom are required to have current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Jersey and Ireland;

      (4)  provide that the Minority Leaders of both the Senate and the General Assembly will each appoint two members two the commission, all of whom are required to have current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or shall have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Jersey and Ireland; and

      (5)  provide that the committee will consist of four co-chair-persons, two appointed by the President of the Senate and two appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, with each appointer required to make co-chair appointments from among both the majority and minority party of the respective House.