Posted: | April 5, 2016 10:24 AM |
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From: | Representative Nick Miccarelli and Rep. Kevin J. Boyle |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Co-Sponsor Memo - Prohibiting Commonwealth Contracts with those who boycott Against or Divest from Israel. |
In the near future, I will be proposing legislation that will prohibit Commonwealth agencies from entering into contracts with persons who engage in boycotts against or divestment from Israel. This legislation requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to compile a list of those who are currently boycotting against or divesting from Israel. This list shall be updated every 180 day. There is also a provision that requires DGS to certify that an individual’s name does not appear on the list before a contract is signed. Because the certification will be self-reported, there is a civil penalty for false certification. The penalty carries a fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of the contract, whichever is greater. It is vital that Pennsylvania, as a state in the United States of America, do our part to protect our allies such as Israel. It has always been a central tenet of our foreign policy to protect Israel. Although freedom of speech protects anti-Israel sentiment, economic actions such as boycotts and divestment should not be tolerated. Please join us and co-sponsor this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1986