SB 526 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

02/19/2026 0650s

2026 SESSION

26-2140

07/06

SENATE BILL 526

AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire-Greece trade council.

SPONSORS: Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Booras, Hills. 8

COMMITTEE: Commerce

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ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a New Hampshire-Greece trade council.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/19/2026 0650s 26-2140

07/06

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire-Greece trade council.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; New Hampshire-Greece Trade Council. Amend RSA 12-O by inserting after section 23-a the following new section:

12-O:23-b New Hampshire-Greece Trade Council.

I. The general court finds as follows:

(a) Greek-Americans were an important part of New Hampshire's early history.

(b) Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is one of New Hampshire’s largest trade partners.

(d) New Hampshire has the highest per capita concentration of Greek Americans in the country.

II. The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs and the secretary of state shall have the authority to establish a New Hampshire-Greece trade council to meet with one or more trade councils established in the Hellenic Republic. The purpose of the council shall be to advance bilateral trade and investment between New Hampshire and Greece, initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to New Hampshire and Greece, and promote business and academic exchanges between New Hampshire and Greece.

III. The members of the council shall include:

(a) Two senators, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two house members, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) The secretary of state, or their designee.

(e) A representative from the business and industry association, appointed by that organization.

(f) A representative of the division of economic development, appointed by the commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs.

(g) A representative of the university system of New Hampshire, appointed by the chancellor.

(h) Two public members, appointed by the governor.

IV. The council shall elect a chairperson, whose duties shall include calling meetings.

V. The New Hampshire-Greece trade council shall be authorized to raise and accept funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, government agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions.

VI. There is hereby established in the state treasury the New Hampshire-Greece trade council fund. The funds shall be comprised of monies obtained according to paragraph V, and shall be used to defray the council’s administrative costs and to carry out its purposes. The fund shall be non-lapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the council.

2 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; New Hampshire-Greece trade council fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (410) the following new subparagraph:

(411) Moneys deposited in the New Hampshire-Greece trade council fund as established in RSA 12-O:23-b.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.