MEDC; MI-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION S.B. 128 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 128 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Committee: Economic and Community Development
MEDC; MI-IRELAND TRADE COMMISSION S.B. 128 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 128 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Committee: Economic and Community Development
CONTENT
The bill would enact a new law to do the following:
-- Create the Michigan-Ireland Trade Commission (Commission) within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
-- Prescribe the Commission’s membership and duties, including promoting business and academic exchanges between Michigan and Ireland.
-- Create the Michigan-Ireland Trade Commission Fund (Fund).
BRIEF RATIONALE
The European Union (EU) is an economic partnership made up of 27 European states that together form a single market. In 2024, EU members generated a total gross domestic product (GDP) of around $19.4 trillion USD.1 Following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU in 2020 (known as "Brexit"), Ireland emerged as the EU’s largest native-English-speaking member. Recognizing Ireland’s strategic importance, several states throughout the United States have created commissions to strengthen trade with Ireland. Accordingly, it has been suggested that Michigan follow suit.
Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and no fiscal impact on local units of government. Generally, commissions cost between $150,000 and $400,000, depending on the number of staff needed to support the commission, the commission’s activities, and travel expenses. Commissions can be supported with existing funds within the host department or through direct appropriations. The proposed Commission’s expenses could be offset from the Fund with private dollars. The final costs to support the Commission is currently unknown, in addition to whether any private funds would be raised through the Fund to offset any of those expenses.
The bill would not have a significant fiscal impact on the Department of Treasury. Existing appropriations would be sufficient to establish and direct the investment of the new Fund. If the average daily balance of the Fund were to regularly exceed $1.0 million, minor administrative costs could be incurred. This would depend upon the total amount appropriated to the Fund. The bill does not appropriate any funds.
Date Completed: 11-24-25 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Raczkowski
Cory Savino, PhD
floor\sb128 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
[1] "GDP (current US$) - European Union", The World Bank. Accessed 11-13-25.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?locations=EU.