SJR24 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Trade, establish commission with the Republic of Ireland

Summary

SJR24 creates the Alabama-Ireland Trade Commission to promote trade, investment, and cultural ties between Alabama and Ireland.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a new commission made up of Alabama lawmakers, state officials, business and education leaders, and up to 11 Irish appointees to study and advance bilateral trade and investment. The goal is to boost investment in infrastructure and human capital and to promote ongoing business, educational, and cultural exchanges. The commission will elect a chair, set study responsibilities, meet (including electronically after the first meeting), and report annually on its activities and any recommendations, with administrative support from state offices and meeting notices filed with the Secretary of State.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Alabama lawmakers and state agencies who will serve as members of the commission and coordinate appointments; legislative members receive compensation for meetings, while non-legislative members may be reimbursed for expenses.
• Group 2: Alabama private sector businesses, universities, and Irish partners involved in international trade and investment who may participate as appointees or through collaboration, with the opportunity to influence trade policy and benefit from enhanced Alabama-Ireland ties.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama-Ireland Trade Commission to foster closer ties and promote bilateral trade and investment between Alabama and the Republic of Ireland.
• Sets membership to include Senate majority/minority members, House majority/minority members, committee chairs, state agency heads (Agriculture and Industries, Commerce), the Director of the Alabama Port Authority, a private-sector international trade expert appointed by the Governor, an Irish-American cultural affairs appointee, two higher-education appointees, the President of the Business Council of Alabama, the state NFIB director, and up to 11 Irish appointees, with diversity considerations.
• Requires coordinated appointments to reflect Alabama’s racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity.
• Requires first meeting by September 20, 2024, where a chair is elected and study/reporting responsibilities are assigned.
• Provides compensation for legislative members for meetings; non-legislative members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses.
• Quorum is 14 members; after the first meeting, the commission may meet electronically.
• Authorizes the commission to advance bilateral trade and investment, encourage mutual investment in infrastructure and human capital, and promote ongoing exchanges and mutual policy benefits.
• Mandates an annual report to the Lt. Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Secretary of Commerce by the third day of the Regular Session, including meeting minutes and interim recommendations.
• Requires notice of meetings to be provided to the Secretary of State and allows administrative support from the Senate and LSA.

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

Subjects

Economic Development