Establishes the Missouri Ireland Trade Commission

Missouri creates Ireland trade commission

The law creates a nine-member Missouri Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Economic Development. It studies trade, investment, shared policy issues, business and academic exchanges, economic support, and infrastructure investment between Missouri and Ireland. Members must be appointed within 90 days after the section takes effect. Senate and House leaders each appoint three lawmakers with knowledge of Irish affairs or involvement in Missouri-Ireland trade relations. The governor appoints three members, with Senate approval, representing Missouri public higher education, statewide business interests, and Irish-American communities or interests. Lawmakers serve two years or the rest of their legislative term, whichever is shorter; governor appointees serve four years. Members receive no pay, but available funds can cover actual expenses for their duties. The commission must report its activities, findings, and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders within 15 months, then annually. It can raise money and accept gifts, grants, and bequests through a new state treasury fund. The fund pays for administration and commission work; unspent money and investment earnings stay in the fund. The law specifies no funding amount and creates no direct household payment.