HB1334: HB1334 Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission; create

26 LC 59 0342 House Bill 1334 By: Representatives Okoye of the 102nd, Adeyina of the 110th, Holly of the 116th, Schofield of the 63rd, Scott of the 76th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 commissions and other agencies, so as to create the Georgia-Afr ica and Caribbean Trade2 Commission; to provide for members and purpose of the commission; to provide for annual3 reporting; to create a fund for commission expenses; to provide for legislative findings and4 intent; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 The General Assembly finds and declares that:8 (1) International trade and foreign direct investment are esse ntial drivers of Georgia's9 economic growth, job creation, and long-term competitiveness;10 (2) The nations of the African continent and Caribbean region represent some of the fastest11 growing economies in the world, with expanding demand for agric ultural products,12 logistics services, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, education, and technology;13 (3) Georgia is uniquely positioned to expand trade and investm ent relationships with14 Africa and the Caribbean due to its world-class ports, global a ir connectivity, logistics15 infrastructure, research universities, and diverse workforce;16 H. B. 1334 - 1 - 26 LC 59 0342 (4) Georgia is home to growing African and Caribbean diaspora communities whose17 business, cultural, and professional ties provide a strategic b ridge for international18 commerce and collaboration;19 (5) Existing engagement between Georgia and African and Caribb ean markets lacks a20 coordinated, formal structure within state government; and21 (6) The creation of a dedicated trade commission will provide strategic coordination,22 accountability, and policy guidance to enhance economic opportunity for businesses and23 communities throughout the state.24 SECTION 2.25 Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commissions26 and other agencies, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:27 "ARTICLE 928 50-12-140.29 (a) There is established the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trad e Commission which is30 created to advance trade, investment, economic development, educational exchange, and31 workforce collaboration between the State of Georgia and nations of the African continent32 and Caribbean region. The commission shall serve in an advisor y and coordinating33 capacity to support Georgia businesses, institutions of higher education, and state agencies34 in expanding international economic relationships. The commiss ion shall be composed35 of 19 members as follows:36 (1) The commissioner of economic development, or his or her designee;37 (2) The Commissioner of Agriculture, or his or her designee;38 (3) The commissioner of community affairs, or his or her designee;39 (4) Two members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Governor;40 H. B. 1334 - 2 - 26 LC 59 0342 (5) Four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the41 House of Representatives;42 (6) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate;43 (7) One representative of the University System of Georgia to be appointed by the44 chancellor, or his or her designee; and45 (8) Five members who represent Georgia businesses, trade organ izations, or46 communities with experience in African or Caribbean markets, appointed jointly by the47 Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate.48 (b) Legislative members of the commission shall be appointed for terms of two years each49 and until their successors are appointed and qualified.50 (c) All appointments shall be made no later than 90 days follo wing the effective date of51 this article. A vacancy in the membership of the commission sh all be filled in the same52 manner as the original appointment was made.53 (d) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed54 for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limit of funds55 appropriated to the commission or otherwise made available to s uch commission for its56 purposes.57 (e) The commission shall meet and hold at least two annual hea rings at the places and58 times it designates throughout the state.59 (f) The Governor shall designate a chairperson or cochairperso ns from among the60 members of the commission, who shall serve at the pleasure of t he Governor. The61 chairperson or cochairpersons, as appropriate, may appoint from among the commission62 subcommittees or subcommittee chairpersons at their discretion. A majority of the63 members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business64 of the commission.65 (g)(1) The purpose of the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission is to:66 H. B. 1334 - 3 - 26 LC 59 0342 (A) Identify and promote trade and investment opportunities be tween Georgia and67 African and Caribbean nations;68 (B) Support the expansion of Georgia exports and the attractio n of foreign direct69 investment into the state;70 (C) Encourage participation by small businesses, minority owned businesses, and rural71 enterprises in international trade;72 (D) Promote partnerships involving education, research, innova tion, and workforce73 development;74 (E) Coordinate, as appropriate, with the Department of Economi c Development and75 other state agencies; and76 (F) Identify policy, regulatory, and logistical barriers affecting international commerce77 and recommend strategies to address such barriers.78 (2) The commission shall repor t its findings, results, and rec ommendations to the79 Governor and the General Assembly pursuant to this article within one year of its initial80 meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activ ities of the preceding81 calendar year. The report shall be in writing and include reco mmendations as are82 considered appropriate by the commission to effectuate its purpose as provided by this83 article.84 (h)(1) The state treasurer shall establish a separate trust fu nd in the state treasury that85 shall be known as the Georgia-Africa and Caribbean Trade Commission Fund, consisting86 of annual appropriations by the General Assembly; public or pri vate grants, gifts,87 donations, or contributions; and moneys from any other source, including local, state, or88 federal program funds dedicated to the fund.89 (2) The state treasurer shall invest the moneys held in the fu nd in the same manner in90 which state funds are invested as authorized by the State Depository Board pursuant to91 Article 3 of Chapter 17 of this title. Interest earned by the moneys held in the fund shall92 H. B. 1334 - 4 - 26 LC 59 0342 be accounted for separately and shall be credited to the fund t o be disbursed as other93 moneys in the fund.94 (3) Moneys held in the fund shall be expended solely as provided in this article."95 SECTION 3.96 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.97 H. B. 1334 - 5 -