HOUSE BILL 564

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Mark B. Murphy and John Block and Rod Montoya

and Jonathan A. Henry

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; ESTABLISHING THE NEW MEXICO-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] NEW MEXICO-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES--ANNUAL REPORT.--

          A. The "New Mexico-Ireland trade commission" is established and administratively attached to the economic development department.

          B. Members of the commission shall be appointed as follows:

                (1) five members who have knowledge of or involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Mexico and Ireland, three of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and two of whom shall be appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate, and whose membership on the commission shall be only for the term of the legislative session during which the members are appointed;

                (2) five members who have knowledge of or involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Mexico and Ireland, three of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and two of whom shall be appointed by the minority floor leader of the house of representatives, and whose membership on the commission shall be only for the term of the legislative session during which the members are appointed;

                (3) six members appointed by the governor for four-year terms who have knowledge of or involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between New Mexico and Ireland, including:

                     (a) one member from a state institution of higher education;

                     (b) one member who is a member of an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo;

                     (c) one member who is involved with a New Mexico agricultural business;

                     (d) one member who is involved with a New Mexico oil or gas energy business; and

                     (e) two members of the public who are members of different political parties and who represent Irish-American communities or interests in New Mexico; and

                (4) the director of the division of international trade of the economic development department or the director's designee.

          C. Appointments shall be made not later than ninety days following the effective date of this 2025 act. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

          D. Members of the commission who are not public employees are not entitled to per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

          E. The commission may accept gifts, grants, donations, money from fundraising activities, bequests and other forms of voluntary contributions to carry out the purposes of the commission.

          F. The commission shall:

                (1) annually elect a chair and vice chair from among the commission's members;

                (2) meet at least once annually and at the call of the chair;

                (3) hire such professional and clerical staff as necessary to carry out the purposes of the commission;                  (4) work to advance bilateral trade and investment between New Mexico and Ireland with emphasis on the technology, agricultural and energy sectors;

                (5) initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest between New Mexico and Ireland;

                (6) promote business and academic exchanges between New Mexico and Ireland;

                (7) encourage mutual economic support between New Mexico and Ireland;

                (8) encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of New Mexico and Ireland; and

                (9) on or before December 1, 2026 and each year thereafter, submit to the governor, the president pro tempore of the senate, the minority floor leader of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the minority floor leader of the house of representatives and the secretary of economic development a report that includes the commission's findings, results and recommendations.

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