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Morrisey signs bill creating West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance

Irish Minister for Diaspora Sean Fleming takes part in Irish road bowling at the State Capitol Building during a June 2023 visit to West Virginia to celebrate the creation that year by the Legislature of the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission. (Photo Courtesy/WV Legislative Photography)

CHARLESTON — Given West Virginia’s ancestral connections to Ireland, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced on St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday that he signed a bill cementing an educational alliance between the Mountain State and the Emerald Isle.

Morrisey signed House Bill 4087 with green ink on Monday, creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance. The bill, whose lead sponsor is Del. Mike Hornby, R-Berkeley, passed the House of Delegates on Feb. 23 in an 86-8 vote with six absent or not voting and the state Senate, 33-1, on March 13.

HB 4087 expands the scope and membership of the existing West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission, which is tasked with strengthening ties with Ireland through trade agreements and investments, promotion of business and academic exchanges, encouragement of mutual economic support and infrastructure investments, and joint action on mutual policy issues.

The bill created the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance, designed to strengthen academic and cultural connections through student and faculty exchange programs, collaborative educational initiatives, workforce connections and shared learning opportunities.

“This legislation strengthens an already important relationship between West Virginia and Ireland by opening new doors for our students, educators, and institutions,” Morrisey said. “Expanding these partnerships will help create new opportunities for learning, workforce development and cultural exchange that will benefit our state for years to come.”

As part of the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance, HB 4087 requires state four-year higher education institutions to partner with a two-year community and technical college for the proposed student and faculty exchange program. Eligible partnerships could receive up to $50,000 as determined by the Higher Education Policy Commission.

The Legislature created the West Virginia-Ireland Trade Commission with the passage of House Bill 3307 in 2023. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, later entertained an Irish trade delegation that summer, including engaging in Irish road bowling on the grounds of the State Capitol Building.

“A significant number of people in West Virginia claim Irish ancestry,” said Irish Minister for Diaspora Sean Fleming in a 2023 statement following his visit to West Virginia. “There is huge potential to build on our diaspora links to create investment and educational opportunities that benefit both Ireland and West Virginia.

“The establishment of the new Trade Commission is a sign of the desire to strengthen those links,” Fleming continued. “The Irish Government is very supportive of the new Trade Commission, and I look forward to working with its members to explore trade opportunities and academic exchanges between our young people.”

The commission consists of nine members appointed through legislative and executive channels, with two senators appointed by the Senate president, two delegates appointed by the House speaker and five members appointed by the governor.

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