S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

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Session Year 2024

Overview: Section 11.16 of S.L. 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257) establishes the North Carolina-India Trade Commission (Commission). The Commission is administratively located in the North Carolina Department of Commerce but exercises its duties independently of the Secretary of Commerce.

The Commission consists of nine members as follows:

  • The President Pro Tempore of the Senate (PPT), or the President Pro Tempore's designee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker), or the Speaker's designee.
  • Two members of the Senate, one from each political party, to be appointed by the PPT and two members of the House of Representatives, one from each political party, to be appointed by the Speaker.
  • An individual who is active in Indian American cultural and civic affairs, with preference for an individual with a history of cooperation in the legislative process, to be appointed by the PPT.
  • An individual who is active in Indian American cultural and civic affairs, with preference for an individual with a history of cooperation in the legislative process, to be appointed by the Speaker.
  • An individual recognized for the individual's achievements and experience in international business, to be appointed by the Governor.

Members of the Commission serve three-year terms and are eligible for reappointment. The Commission must meet at least twice per year.

The duties of the Commission are as follows:

  • Encourage bilateral trade between North Carolina and India, including coordinating and hosting summits and other meetings that encourage commercial relations and encourage mutual investment in North Carolina and India, especially in infrastructure and employment.
  • Promote business, educational, and cultural exchanges between North Carolina and India and recommend joint action to North Carolina and India on policy issues of mutual agreement between the State and India.
  • Submit an annual report to the General Assembly that includes the following: (i) the number meetings the Commission had during the preceding year, (ii) the minutes from those meetings, and (iii) any recommendations or requests that may assist the Commission's work.
  • Consider any other related issues, as determined necessary by the Commission.

The Commission must submit its first annual report to the General Assembly by October 1, 2027.

This section becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Additional Information: