Pending

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.

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.

HB 30 is an antisemitism redefinition bill that requires state agencies to consider the distorted IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples that target advocacy for Palestinian rights, when addressing allegations of discrimination or in the context of hate crimes enhancements. The definition conflates criticism of Israel and Palestinians’ lived experience and history with anti-Jewish hate, infringing on protected expression and exacerbating anti-Palestinian racism. An amended version of the bill adds antisemitic imagery to the state’s definition of terrorism and defines antisemitism according to the IHRA definition, a definition that conflates criticism of Israel and Palestinians’ lived experience and history with anti-Jewish hate, infringing on protected expression and exacerbating anti-Palestinian racism.

This anti-boycott bill prohibits state contracts with a company for goods or services unless the contract includes a written certification that the company does not, and for the duration of the contract will not, engage in boycott activity against Israel or illegal Israeli settlements. This bill exempts contracts with a value of less than one hundred thousand dollars or with companies with fewer than ten full-time employees. Additionally, this bill prohibits public entities from adopting any procurement, investment, or other policies that have the effect of “allowing, inducing, or requiring a person or company” to boycott Israel or illegal settlements, a provision that targets divestment or other BDS campaigns at public universities.