http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=20519 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc0"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>&lt;b&gt;(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 12, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)&lt;/b&gt;</p> <p>Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Defines specified terms.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should support a state or local government decision to divest from or prohibit the investment of state or local assets in a person determined to pose a financial or reputational risk.</p> <p>Authorizes a state or local government to divest state or local assets or prohibit investment of state or local assets in persons that are conducting or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment.</p> <p>Expresses the sense of Congress that a state or local government should not adopt any such measure without verification that the person conducts or has direct investments in such business operations.</p> <p>Excludes from such business operations those operations that: (1) are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan; (2) are conducted under a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control or are exempted under federal law from such license requirement; (3) provide goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan; (4) provide goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization; (5) provide goods or services to promote health or education; (6) are conducted by a person that has also undertaken significant humanitarian efforts; or (7) have been voluntarily suspended.</p> <p>Requires that a state or local government notify the Department of Justice respecting a divestiture decision.</p> <p>States that a state or local divestiture action under this Act is not preempted by any federal law or regulation.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prohibit a person (including the federal government or a state or local government) from bringing a civil, criminal, or administrative action against any registered investment company, or any employee, officer, director, or investment adviser of such company, based solely upon the investment company divesting from or avoiding investing in securities issued by persons that conduct or have investments in certain business operations in Sudan.</p> <p>States that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) actions for breaches of fiduciary duties; and (2) a registered investment company, or any employee, officer, director, or investment adviser of such company unless the company makes disclosures in accordance Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations required by this Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan (as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)) may divest plan assets from or avoid investing plan assets in any person conducting certain business operations in Sudan.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) Requires that companies seeking U.S. government contracts certify that they are not conducting certain business operations in Sudan. Sets forth the following federal remedies for a false certification: (1) terminating the contract; (2) suspending a contractor's eligibility for future contractors; and (3) debarring a company from government contracts for up to three years. Authorizes the President to waive such requirement if in the national interest.</p> <p>(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that other countries should adopt measures similar to those contained in this Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) work with the international community to facilitate the deployment of a peacekeeping force to Sudan; and (2) call for a vote on a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing multilateral sanctions on Sudan in response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur.</p> <p>(Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that this Act does not conflict with current U.S. international obligations, or article VI, clause 2 (supremacy clause) of the Constitution.</p> <p>(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretaries of State and the Treasury report on the efficacy of current sanctions on Sudan.</p> <p>(Sec. 11) Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to repeal a specified reporting requirement by the Secretary of the Treasury.</p> <p>(Sec. 12) Terminates sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 of this Act 30 days after the President certifies to Congress that Sudan has honored its commitments to: (1) abide by Security Council Resolution 1769; (2) cease attacks on civilians; (3) demobilize and demilitarize the Janjaweed and associated militias; (4) grant free access for delivery of humanitarian assistance; and (5) allow for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc1"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/31/2007: Signed by President.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc2"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc3"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 20519@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:11:29 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14980 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc4"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>&lt;b&gt;(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)&lt;/b&gt;</p> <p>Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Defines specified terms.</p> <p>(Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. government should support a state or local government decision to divest from or prohibit the investment of state or local assets in a person determined to pose a financial or reputational risk.</p> <p>Authorizes a state or local government to divest state or local assets or prohibit investment of state or local assets in persons that are conducting or have direct investments in business operations in Sudan that include power production activities, mineral extraction activities, oil-related activities, or the production of military equipment.</p> <p>Excludes from such business operations those operations that: (1) are conducted under contract directly and exclusively with the regional government of southern Sudan; (2) are conducted under a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control or are exempted under federal law from such license requirement; (3) provide goods or services to marginalized populations of Sudan; (4) provide goods or services to an internationally recognized peacekeeping force or humanitarian organization; (5) provide goods or services to promote health or education; (6) are conducted by a person that has also undertaken significant humanitarian efforts; or (7) have been voluntarily suspended.</p> <p>Requires that a state or local government notify the Department of Justice respecting a divestiture decision.</p> <p>States that a state or local divestiture action under this Act is not preempted by any federal law or regulation.</p> <p>(Sec. 4) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prohibit a person (including the federal government or a state or local government) from bringing a civil, criminal, or administrative action against any registered investment company, or any employee, officer, director, or investment adviser of such company, based solely upon the investment company divesting from or avoiding investing in securities issued by persons that conduct or have investments in certain business operations in Sudan.</p> <p>States that such prohibition shall not apply to: (1) actions for breaches of fiduciary duties; and (2) a registered investment company, or any employee, officer, director, or investment adviser of such company unless the company makes disclosures in accordance Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations required by this Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan (as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)) may divest plan assets from or avoid investing plan assets in any person conducting certain business operations in Sudan.</p> <p>(Sec. 6) Requires that companies seeking U.S. government contracts certify that they are not conducting certain business operations in Sudan. Sets forth the following federal remedies for a false certification: (1) terminating the contract; (2) suspending a contractor's eligibility for future contractors; and (3) debarring a company from government contracts for up to three years. Authorizes the President to waive such requirement if in the national interest.</p> <p>(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that other countries should adopt measures similar to those contained in this Act.</p> <p>(Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) work with the international community to facilitate the deployment of a peacekeeping force to Sudan; and (2) call for a vote on a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing multilateral sanctions on Sudan in response to the ongoing genocide in Darfur.</p> <p>(Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that this Act does not conflict with current U.S. international obligations, or article VI, clause 2 (supremacy clause) of the Constitution.</p> <p>(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretaries of State and the Treasury report on the efficacy of current sanctions on Sudan.</p> <p>(Sec. 11) Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to repeal a specified reporting requirement by the Secretary of the Treasury.</p> <p>(Sec. 12) Terminates sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 of this Act 30 days after the President certifies to Congress that Sudan has honored its commitments to: (1) abide by Security Council Resolution 1769; (2) cease attacks on civilians; (3) demobilize and demilitarize the Janjaweed and associated militias; (4) grant free access for delivery of humanitarian assistance; and (5) allow for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc5"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/31/2007: Signed by President.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc6"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc7"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14980@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:33:30 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14947 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc8"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc9"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/31/2007: Signed by President.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc10"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc11"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14947@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:32:42 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14906 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc12"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc13"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/21/2007: Presented to President.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc14"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc15"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14906@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:33:27 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14851 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc16"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc17"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/18/2007: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 0 (Roll no. 1179).</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc18"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc19"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14851@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:32:35 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14730 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc20"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc21"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/13/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Foreign Affairs, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc22"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc23"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14730@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:32:15 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=14672 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc24"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc25"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 12/12/2007: Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc26"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc27"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14672@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:31:59 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=13066 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc28"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc29"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc30"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc31"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 13066@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:45:40 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_PL_110-174.html?rev=13067 <p>An original bill to authorize State and local governments to divest assets in companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies.</p> <h2 id="toc32"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc33"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 10/31/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 458.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc34"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc35"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 13067@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:45:40 EDT