Senate approves Lawson bill to establish trade commission with Ireland

State House — The Senate today approved legislation from Majority Whip Valarie J. Lawson to establish an advisory trade commission to promote and advance the relationship between Rhode Island and Ireland.

The bill (2024-S 2508) now heads to the House where Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) has introduced similar legislation (2024-H 7777).

“Rhode Island and Ireland have a long and fruitful shared history,” said Senator Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “This commission will build of this history and work to improve our relationship and study ways to improve economic opportunities for both Rhode Islanders and the Irish people.”

The bill aims to make Rhode Island one of a growing number of states, of which New Jersey was the first, to establish such a commission to improve relations and develop shared economic interests with Ireland, which retains direct access to the European Union market.

The legislation would establish a seven-member commission to explore, among other possibilities, bilateral trade and investments, policy issues of mutual interest, business and academic exchanges, mutual economic support and infrastructure investments and helping communities in both Ireland and Rhode Island through the creation of educational and economic opportunities.

The commission would report its findings annually by February 1 to the governor, the house speaker, the senate president and the secretary of commerce. It would also send a copy to the director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University.

The legislation received a letter of support in committee from Senator Mark Daly, chair of the Senate of Ireland.