Signed by Governor Phil Bryant

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill that would prohibit the state from investing in or giving contracts to businesses that are boycotting Israel.

Highlights:

• Defines “boycotting Israel” as refusing to deal with, terminating business activities, or taking other actions to limit commercial relations with Israel (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Finance and Administration to develop and publish a list of companies that boycott Israel (Sec. 3).

• Requires this list to be updated by July 1 of every year (Sec. 3).

• Requires the executive director to do the following before publishing the initial or updated list (Sec. 3):

• Provide 90 days written notice of their intent to include the company on the list, and must specify that the company may be removed from the list if it ceases the boycott of Israel;

• Provide a company with the opportunity to comment in writing that it is not engaged in a boycott of Israel.

• If they company demonstrates its denial of a boycott, the company shall not be included on the list.

• Prohibits the Public Employees’ Retirement System and State Treasury from investing in companies on this list and any existing investments in violation of this bill by July 1, 2020, must be divested no later than 120 days after the initial list is published (Sec. 4).

• Establishes this law will take effect July 1, 2019 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text