HI HB1391

Establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, consisting of 11 members appointed by the governor (5 members), speaker of the house (3 members), and president of the senate (3 members), each serving four-year terms with initial appointments due by October 1, 2025.

Commission members must have knowledge of or involvement in organizations promoting Irish affairs, or an interest in trade relations between Hawaii and Ireland.

Commission duties include advancing bilateral trade and investment, initiating joint action on policy issues of mutual interest, promoting business and academic exchanges, encouraging economic support and infrastructure investment, and addressing other determined issues.

Requires the commission to submit annual reports to the legislature and governor beginning with the 2027 regular session, no later than twenty days before each regular session convenes.

Appropriates $75,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for out-of-state relations activities; Act takes effect July 1, 2025.