AB 254: California-Ireland Trade Commission.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the Governor as the primary state officer representing California’s interest in international affairs, to the extent that representation is not in conflict with federal law or the California Constitution. Existing law establishes the Lieutenant Governor as the Chair of the Commission for Economic Development to improve trade opportunities for California, and develop international partnerships for foreign companies to do business in the state and for California.

Existing law requires the Office of Planning and Research to maintain and update a list of all state agreements made with foreign governments. Existing law additionally requires the Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to provide the Legislature with an updated strategy for international trade and investment, that includes, at a minimum, specified components, once every 5 years.

This bill would require the Governor to establish the California-Ireland Trade Commission within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development as an advisory body to the Governor and the Legislature, consisting of specified appointed members, upon availability of sufficient funding resources for this purpose, as provided. The bill would establish the various purposes of the commission, which would include advancing bilateral trade and investment between California and Ireland.

This bill would require the commission to report its findings, results, and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year, as specified. The bill would require the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to consider the commission’s recommendations when updating its strategy for international trade and investment. The bill would include related legislative findings.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 29, 2025In committee: Held under submission.
2. August 18, 2025In committee: Referred to suspense file.
3. July 7, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 18, 2025Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
5. June 4, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
6. June 3, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 2028.)
7. May 27, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. May 23, 2025Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
9. May 23, 2025From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
10. May 23, 2025Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
11. May 7, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
12. April 22, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.