SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 71

(By Senators Maynard, Swope, Jeffries, Martin, Smith, Sypolt, Stover, and Woodrum)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization; reported on April 7, 2021]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the importance of legislation prohibiting the state or its instrumentalities from contracting with, investing in, or otherwise doing business with entities involved in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel.

Whereas, The State of Israel is one of the United States’ closest allies and international trading partners; and

Whereas, In recent years, the State of Israel and Israeli-owned businesses have been the target of economic, cultural, and academic boycotts; and

Whereas, These attempts to isolate Israel within the international arena have served as a vehicle for spreading anti-Semitism and advocating for the elimination of the Jewish state; and

Whereas, The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement is deeply damaging to the causes of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human rights for all people in the Middle East; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia has an economic and a humanitarian obligation to denounce and reject the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement, and to prevent the state or any of its instrumentalities from entering into contracts with, investing in, or otherwise doing business with entities that engage in the movement; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the importance of legislation prohibiting the state or its instrumentalities from contracting with, investing in, or otherwise doing business with entities involved in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement against Israel; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2022, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.