IndianaHB 1489First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)House

Indiana-Ireland trade commission.

Sponsored By: Timothy O'Brien (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Establishes the Indiana-Ireland trade commission (commission) to advance bilateral trade and investment between Indiana and Ireland and other related matters. Specifies the membership of the commission and certain requirements for the operations of the commission. Requires the commission to provide an annual report of its activities. Provides for the expiration of the commission.

government and regulatory reformthe senatecommerce and technology

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Trade commission accepts funds under public oversight

The commission can accept gifts, grants, and bequests from people, businesses, foundations, government agencies, and other organizations. A majority of voting members must approve spending this money on commission costs and work. Meetings must be open to the public, and records fall under state public records rules. The commission must keep accounts under State Board of Accounts rules. By September 1 each year, it must send the prior state fiscal year’s accounting to the Department of Local Government Finance. That department must make the accounting available through the state’s online gateway. Activity reports with recommendations go to the governor and legislature each January 1, starting January 1, 2026; legislative reports must be electronic.

Trade commission members serve without pay

The commission has nine governor-appointed voting members and four nonvoting legislative advisers. Voting seats must include a chamber member, a higher education representative, two Irish-American community or interest representatives, and two civic or Irish-American organization leaders. At most two appointees across the last two groups can share the governor’s party; none can be state legislators. Each chamber’s majority and minority leaders appoint one legislative adviser with knowledge of or involvement in Irish affairs or Indiana-Ireland trade. Members have four-year terms ending June 30 of an odd-numbered year, but serve at their appointing authority’s will. The same authority fills vacancies for the remaining term. Service is voluntary, with no entitlement to daily pay or reimbursement for mileage, travel, or other duty-related expenses. The governor must call the first meeting before July 1, 2025; voting members choose a chair for a renewable two-year term. The chair’s term ends June 30 of an odd-numbered year, and the chair can create subcommittees. The commission must meet at least three times yearly; a majority of all members forms a quorum. Commission action requires approval by a majority of voting members.

Indiana creates temporary Ireland trade commission

Effective upon passage, the law creates the Indiana-Ireland Trade Commission in the executive branch. It promotes trade, investment, business and academic exchanges, shared policy work, mutual economic support, and investment in infrastructure. The governor’s office provides staff support. The law provides no direct household payment or state appropriation. The commission’s legal authority ends June 30, 2029.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Timothy O'Brien

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Beau Baird

    Republican • House

  • Blake Doriot

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Buchanan

    Republican • Senate

  • David Niezgodski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Edward DeLaney

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

  • Gary Byrne

    Republican • Senate

  • J.D. Ford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Justin Busch

    Republican • Senate

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Randy Maxwell

    Republican • Senate

  • Stacey Donato

    Republican • Senate

  • Timothy Wesco

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 252 • No: 64

House vote • 4/17/2025

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 89 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 87 • No: 1

House vote • 1/30/2025

Amendment #2 (Bartlett) failed

Yes: 28 • No: 62

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025House
  2. Public Law 176

    5/1/2025House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/22/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    4/21/2025House
  6. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 487: yeas 89, nays 1

    4/17/2025House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    4/14/2025House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    4/2/2025Senate
  9. Senator Busch added as cosponsor

    4/1/2025Senate
  10. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 328: yeas 48, nays 0

    4/1/2025Senate
  11. Amendment #2 (Buchanan) prevailed; voice vote

    3/31/2025Senate
  12. Senator Randolph added as cosponsor

    3/31/2025Senate
  13. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    3/31/2025Senate
  14. Senators Koch, Byrne, Donato added as cosponsors

    3/24/2025Senate
  15. Senator Ford J.D. added as cosponsor

    3/20/2025Senate
  16. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    3/20/2025Senate
  17. Senator Niezgodski added as cosponsor

    3/3/2025Senate
  18. First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology

    2/19/2025Senate
  19. Referred to the Senate

    2/4/2025House
  20. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 69: yeas 87, nays 1

    2/3/2025House
  21. Senate sponsors: Senators Buchanan, Doriot, Maxwell

    2/3/2025House
  22. Amendment #3 (O'Brien) prevailed; voice vote

    1/30/2025House
  23. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/30/2025House
  24. Amendment #2 (Bartlett) failed; Roll Call 43: yeas 28, nays 62

    1/30/2025House
  25. Committee report: do pass, adopted

    1/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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