S 8108 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the New York Ireland trade commission

S 8108 establishes the New York Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic ties between New York and Ireland. The commission, composed of 15 appointed members (including legislative representatives and community stakeholders), will focus on advancing trade, investment, and business/academic exchanges between the two regions. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature detailing its activities and recommendations. The bill creates a formal structure for collaboration but does not allocate new funding or impose direct requirements on businesses or residents. The commission's work will be guided by specific goals outlined in the bill, such as promoting mutual economic support and infrastructure investment.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 15, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S8108 → S8108A · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to rename the commission from 'New York state Ireland trade commission' to 'New York Ireland trade commission' and restructure its composition and appointment process. The commission size was reduced from 23 to 15 members, with legislative appointments eliminated in favor of appointments by the governor. The bill also updated the commission's purpose language to remove 'state' references and changed the effective date language.

Scope change

The commission's scope was narrowed by removing 'state' references from its name and purpose, and its membership structure was significantly altered to reduce legislative influence and increase gubernatorial control.

SCOPE

Commission name changed from 'New York state Ireland trade commission' to 'New York Ireland trade commission' and purpose language updated to remove 'state' references.

REQUIREMENT

Commission membership reduced from 23 to 15 members, eliminating legislative appointments (previously 8 legislative members) and increasing gubernatorial appointments from 11 to 11 members with specific term requirements.

Appointment process changed from senate and assembly appointments to governor appointments, with new requirements for political party diversity and specific representation from higher education and chambers of commerce.

Leadership structure changed from senate and assembly co-chairs to governor-appointed chair or co-chairs serving at the governor's pleasure.

DEFINITION

Commission is now established in the department of state rather than as a standalone entity under the economic development law.

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS

upper

May 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 8108A

upper

May 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS

upper

May 15, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor