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This anti-boycott bill prohibits state investment in and state contracts with entities that engage in boycotts of allied nations, including Israel, or companies based in allied nations or territories occupied by allied nations. The bill requires the state to create a blacklist of corporations, non-profits, and groups engaged in prohibited boycotts. State agencies may not enter into contracts with blacklisted entities, and contractors must provide written certification that they are not on the blacklist. The state comptroller and public retirement funds are prohibited from investing in entities engaged in prohibited boycotts. Similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state contracts with and investments in entities that boycott Israel. It amends New York’s retirement and social security law and state finance law to prohibit the state comptroller from investing in entities engaging in boycotts against Israel, mandating divestment from any companies that engage in such activity. This bill also requires the creation of a public blacklist of companies found to boycott Israel. Additionally, this bill prohibits the state from entering into contracts with entities that boycott Israel. Similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

This anti-boycott defunding bill prohibits the use of state funds by colleges and universities to fund or provide funds for membership in or travel to meetings of academic entities that engage in boycotts of countries that host New York state colleges, a short list that includes Israel. Schools that violate the prohibition are not eligible to receive state funds during the academic year in which the violation occurred. This bill is intended to dissuade students, professors, and faculty from participating in or supporting the academic boycott of Israel. Similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

S 0419 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state anti-discrimination law. This bill also states the IHRA definition of antisemitism will be used for educational purposes with state personnel. Related Bill: H 3686.

H 3686 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state anti-discrimination law. This bill also states the IHRA definition of antisemitism will be used for educational purposes with state personnel. Related Bill: S 0419.

HB 608 is an anti-boycott investment prohibition bill that orders the creation of a blacklist of companies that boycott Israel or illegal Israeli settlements. The bill requires Montana’s board of investments to divest from all holdings of and prohibits the state from investing in blacklisted companies. The bill excludes actions “taken pursuant to a boycott against a public entity of Israel if the boycott is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner,” which should exclude boycotts for justice. However, the preambular text makes clear that it is state policy to oppose BDS.

S0649 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into state anti-discrimination law. The explanation accompanying the text states, “ This act would define “anti-Semitism” for the state human affairs commission to use while investigating and working to resolve complaints of discrimination and for the commission against prejudice and bias to use in defining hate crimes.”

S 431 withholds U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) unless the Secretary of State certifies in writing that no UNRWA employee, contractor, or partner organization has criticized Israel, expressed support for boycotts for justice, or propagated antisemitic rhetoric. Examples of prohibited rhetoric include “describing Israelis as ‘occupiers’ or ‘settlers,’” expressing support for BDS, and advocating for the right of return. In defining antisemitism, the bill relies on the distorted IHRA definition, including its contemporary examples related to Israel. The IHRA definition conflates criticism of Israel and Palestinians’ lived experiences with anti-Jewish hate, infringing on protected expression and exacerbating anti-Palestinian racism. Similar bills introduced in previous sessions failed to pass.

HB 1089, titled the “Freedom of Speech Act,” repeals the state contract portion of Texas’ anti-BDS law (HB 89 as amended by HB 793) but leaves intact the prohibition against state investments in companies that participate in boycotts for justice.

HB 1037 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that adopts the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, into Indiana law applying to public schools and higher education institutions. The introduced version of this bill referred to the definition of antisemitism found in a 2010 Department of State factsheet that is substantially similar to the IHRA definition.