HR143 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike ShawRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Culture and Education; creating the Alabama-Japan Legislative Exchange Group

Summary

Creates the Alabama-Japan Legislative Exchange Group to promote friendship and cooperation between Alabama's lawmakers and Japan.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a formal Alabama House group to build ties with Japan. It defines who can be a member, requires an initial meeting by December 1, 2024, and allows the group to meet as needed (at least once per year), including by electronic means. It requires an annual activities report to the Speaker, provides Clerk support, and allows educational, cultural, or outreach initiatives with Japan, inviting nonprofits like JASA and informing Japanese officials through designated consulates; the Speaker can dissolve the group for any reason.

Who It Affects

• Members of the Alabama House of Representatives (both majority and minority parties, plus any member who requests membership and is approved) who will participate in and guide the group.
• Japan’s government, businesses, people, and related organizations (including JASA), which will interact with Alabama through the group and may receive information about its work through Japanese consular officials.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama-Japan Legislative Exchange Group.
• Membership: one majority-party member appointed by the Speaker, one minority-party member appointed by the Minority Leader, plus any member who requests membership with Speaker approval.
• Initial meeting by December 1, 2024; group may elect a chair and officers; meetings may occur as needed, at least once per calendar year, and may be held electronically.
• Provides for an annual report of activities to the Speaker no later than the tenth legislative day of each Regular Session, including recommendations or requests.
• Clerk of the House provides administrative support; group may pursue educational, cultural, or outreach initiatives and invite nonprofit organizations such as JASA.
• The group may inform the Government of Japan of its work, initiatives, or proposals through the Honorary Consul General of Japan for Alabama and the Consul General of Japan in Atlanta.
• The Speaker may dissolve the group for any reason.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legislature