12 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15

in effect

12 Pa.C.S. § 1501 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Commission." The Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission established under section 1502 (relating to establishment of commission). "Department." The Department of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth. "Financial assets." Monetary and other financial gifts, grants, donations, bequests, payments and other monetary contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, public and private organizations and institutions and any other source. "Fund." The Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund established under section 1503 (relating to Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund). "Secretary." The Secretary of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1501.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1502 Establishment of commission.

The Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission is established within the department. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1502. Cross References. Section 1502 is referred to in section 1501 of this title.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1503 Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund.

(a) Establishment and purposes.--The Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund is established as a nonlapsing fund within the State Treasury to accept financial assets to defray the administrative expenses of the commission and implement and administer the provisions of this chapter. (b) Operation.-- (1) All money deposited into the fund and interest and other earnings on the money in the fund are appropriated on a continuing basis to the commission for the purposes described in subsection (a). (2) Any money remaining in the fund at the end of each fiscal year, including interest and other earnings, shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain in the fund. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1503. Cross References. Section 1503 is referred to in section 1501 of this title.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1504 Membership requirements.

(a) Appointments.--The commission shall consist of the following members: (1) The secretary or a designee of the secretary. (2) Six individuals appointed by the Governor, which shall include: (i) At least one representative from a public institution of higher education. (ii) At least one representative from the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry or a successor organization. (iii) At least two members representing Irish-American communities, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party. (3) Two individuals appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. (4) Two individuals appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (5) Two individuals appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. (6) Two individuals appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (b) Qualifications.--All members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall have current or past involvement in organizations that promote Irish affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between Pennsylvania and Ireland. (c) Length of term.-- (1) The members appointed under subsection (a)(2) shall serve for a term of four years. (2) Members appointed under subsection (a)(3), (4), (5) and (6) shall serve for a term of two years. (d) Initial appointments.--Initial appointments to the commission shall be made no later than 90 days after the effective date of this subsection. (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. (f) Compensation prohibited.--Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of the member's duties within the limit of money appropriated to the commission or otherwise made available to the commission for its purposes. (g) Chair.--The President pro tempore of the Senate shall designate one chair from among the President pro tempore's appointments. The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one chair from among the Speaker of the House of Representatives' appointments. (h) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the commission. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1504.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1505 Meetings.

The commission shall meet quarterly and hold hearings as necessary at the places it designates within this Commonwealth. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1505.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1506 Applicability.

The following acts shall apply to the commission: (1) The act of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known as the State Adverse Interest Act. (2) The act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-to-Know Law. (3) The provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Chs. 7 (relating to open meetings) and 11 (relating to ethics standards and financial disclosure). (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1506.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1507 Fiduciary relationship.

The members of the commission shall stand in a fiduciary relationship with the Commonwealth and the commission as to the financial assets of the commission. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1507.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1508 Powers and duties.

The commission shall have and may exercise all powers and duties necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate the commission's purposes, including: (1) Advance bilateral trade and investment between Pennsylvania and Ireland. (2) Initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to Pennsylvania and Ireland. (3) Promote business and academic exchanges between Pennsylvania and Ireland. (4) Encourage mutual economic support between Pennsylvania and Ireland. (5) Encourage mutual investment in the infrastructure of Pennsylvania and Ireland. (6) Accept financial assets to defray the administrative expenses of the commission and implement and administer the provisions of this chapter. (7) Adopt bylaws, if necessary. (8) Address other issues as determined by the commission. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1508.

12 Pa.C.S. § 1509 Report.

The commission shall report its findings, results and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly within one year of the commission's initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activities in the preceding calendar year. The report shall be in writing and include recommendations as deemed appropriate by the commission to effectuate the commission's purposes. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1056, No.116, eff. imd.) 2024 Amendment. Act 116 added section 1509.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=12Fetched: 10/16/2026