As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 291

2025-2026

To enact section 122.97 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio International Trade Commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 122.97 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 122.97. (A) The Ohio international trade commission is created. The commission shall, as between Ohio and Japan, Ireland, Israel, and two other nations designated by the director of development, advance all of the following:

(1) Multilateral trade and investment;

(2) Joint research agreements on issues of mutual interest, particularly with Israel regarding electronic and cyber warfare capabilities;

(3) Business and academic exchanges;

(4) Creation of technology centers to promote collaboration between academic and business interests;

(5) Mutual economic support;

(6) Mutual investment in infrastructure;

(7) Other issues as determined by the commission.

(B) The commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, who have knowledge of, or current or past involvement in, organizations that promote international affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the nations specified in division (A) of this section;

(2) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who have knowledge of, or current or past involvement in, organizations that promote international affairs or have interest in the well-being of trade relations between this state and the nations specified in division (A) of this section;

(3) Eight members appointed by and with the mutual consent of the director of development and the adjutant general, with the advice and consent of the senate, who shall consist of the following:

(a) One member who represents the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) One member who represents the Japanese export trade organization or, if such individual is unavailable, one member who represents Japanese-American communities or interest in this state;

(d) One member who represents Irish-American communities or interest in this state;

(e) Two members who represent the communities or interest in this state of one of the two nations designated by the director of development pursuant to division (A) of this section;

(f) Two members who represent the communities or interest in this state of the other of the two nations designated by the director of development pursuant to division (A) of this section that is not represented under division (A)(3)(e) of this section.

(C) Initial members of the commission shall be appointed not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section. Members of the commission appointed under divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section shall serve terms of two years or for the remainder of the member's legislative term, whichever is less. Members of the commission appointed under division (B)(3) of this section shall serve terms of four years. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(D) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation.

(E)(1) The commission shall meet and hold hearings at the places it designates throughout the state.

(2) The board of directors of the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code shall select a chairperson from among the members of the commission. The chairperson may appoint from the commission members of subcommittees and subcommittee chairpersons at the chairperson's discretion.

(3) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of the business of the commission.

(F) Not later than fifteen months after the effective date of this section, and annually thereafter, the commission shall issue a report of its activities during the preceding year, and any associated findings and recommendations, to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives.

(G) The commission may raise funds through direct solicitation or other fundraising events alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions. The funds, gifts, grants, or bequests received pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the Ohio international trade commission fund, which is created in the state treasury. The commission shall use the fund to defray the commission's administrative expenses and to carry out its purposes set forth in this section.