Defeated

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state contracts with entities that adopt and apply boycotts in a discriminatory manner. The bill amends Massachusetts’ debarment law in order to penalize contractors that adopt “policies against any sovereign nation or peoples recognized by the government of the United States which are used to discriminate in violation of any state or federal law prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations or employment.” Debarred companies are prohibited from contracting with the state for a prescribed period of time. Boycotts for Palestinian rights based on an entity’s complicity in Israel’s violations do not discriminate against a protected class and thus fall outside the scope of the bill. However, the lawmakers who put forward these bills have stated their intent to exclude individuals and companies engaged in boycotts for Palestinian rights from state contracts. 

This anti-boycott defunding bill prohibits state institutions of higher education from using state aid 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. The bill provides exceptions for boycotts of countries determined by the United States to be state sponsors of terrorism, boycotts connected with labor disputes, or boycotts protesting unlawful discriminatory practices as determined by New York law. Related bill: S 2715.

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state investment in and state contracts with entities that engage in boycotts of Israel or companies based in Israel or territories it occupies. The bill requires the state to create a blacklist of corporations, non-profits, or groups engaged in prohibited boycotts. State agencies may not enter into contracts and contractors may not subcontract with blacklisted entities. 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. Related bill: S 2430. 

This anti-boycott defunding bill prohibits state institutions of higher education from using state aid 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. The bill provides exceptions for boycotts of countries determined by the United States to be state sponsors of terrorism, boycotts connected with labor disputes, or boycotts protesting unlawful discriminatory practices as determined by New York law. Related bill: A 7340.

HRes 318 is a non-binding resolution condemning resolutions or policies by institutions of higher learning or academic associations calling for “a boycott of Israeli academic institutions or scholars.” The resolution criticizes boycotts, divestment, and sanctions efforts for “singl[ing] Israel out” and “appl[ying] a double-standard to Israel.” The bill was introduced in the wake of the American Studies Association’s resolution endorsing the boycott of Israeli academic institutions complicit in Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights, which triggered a wave of efforts to penalize such boycotts.

HRes 402 is a non-binding resolution opposing politically motivated boycott, divestment, or sanctions activities against Israel. The resolution calls on the Administration to increase its efforts to oppose BDS in international forums and expresses support for state legislation opposing BDS.

HRes 567 is a non-binding resolution that opposes the labeling of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. The resolution follows a European Commission interpretive notice reaffirming the non-recognition under international law of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and Syrian Golan Heights and clarifying that goods produced in Israeli settlements located in occupied territories must not be labeled as “Product from Israel,” in order not to mislead consumers. The resolution notes with concern that more accurate labeling might prompt some consumers to boycott illegal settlement products and reiterates the House’s opposition to boycott, divestment and sanctions efforts for Palestinian rights. The resolution also encourages state legislatures to pass anti-boycott measures. Related legislation: SRes 346.

SRes 346 is a non-binding resolution that opposes the labeling of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. The resolution follows a European Commission interpretive notice reaffirming the non-recognition under international law of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and Syrian Golan Heights and clarifying that goods produced in Israeli settlements located in occupied territories must not be labeled as “Product from Israel,” in order not to mislead consumers. The resolution notes with concern that more accurate labeling might prompt some consumers to boycott illegal settlement products and reiterates the Senate’s opposition to boycott, divestment and sanctions efforts for Palestinian rights. The resolution also encourages state legislatures to pass anti-boycott measures. Related legislation: HRes 567.

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state investment in and state contracts with entities that engage in boycotts of Israel or companies based in Israel or territories it occupies. 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. Related bill: A 5847.

HR 4009 is an anti-boycott defunding bill that amends the Higher Education Act to make higher education institutions that participate in boycotts of Israel ineligible for federal financial assistance under the Act, which typically funds area studies programs. The bill would require the formation of a public blacklist of such institutions. “Participating” in a boycott of “Israeli institutions or scholars” includes when “any significant part of the institution, or any organization significantly funded by the institution adopts a policy or resolution, issues a statement, or otherwise formally establishes the restriction” of academic involvement based on institutions or academics’ connection to Israel. It was introduced in the wake of the American Studies Association’s resolution endorsing the boycott of Israeli academic institutions complicit in Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights, which triggered a wave of efforts to penalize such boycotts.