HR1001: HR1001 State of Georgia; ethical investment of all state funds and public resources; express support

26 LC 112 3712 House Resolution 1001 By: Representatives Bell of the 75th, Sanchez of the 42nd, Romman of the 97th, Holly of the 116th, McQueen of the 61st, and others A RESOLUTION Expressing support for the ethical investment of all state funds and public resources; and for1 other purposes.2 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is steadfast in its commitment to advancing justice, equity,3 and the protection of human rights for all people, both within our state and across the globe;4 and5 WHEREAS, public funds are not merely financial tools but a direct reflection of the public6 values we are entrusted to uphold; therefore, they carry a mora l obligation to ensure state7 investments do not enable, support, or profit from violence or perpetuate violence, whether8 through occupation, apartheid, or genocide abroad, or through t he furthering of historical,9 systemic, or individual racism here in the State of Georgia; and10 WHEREAS, residents across Georgia have expressed a clear and consistent desire for greater11 investment in public health, calling for resources directed toward improving access to care,12 addressing health disparities, and strengthening community well-being; and13 WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly has taken meaningful step s in recent budget14 cycles to improve the health, safety, and prosperity of Georgia families—investing in15 H. R. 1001 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3712 hospitals and clinics, behavioral health services, and communit y-based supports,16 demonstrating its commitment to the long-term strength and vitality of all Georgians; and17 W H E R E A S , t h e S t a t e o f G e o r g i a i s f u r t h e r e n t r u s t e d w i t h s a f e g u arding the investment18 policies of the state, ensuring they align with the social values and human rights standards19 we hold ourselves to; and20 WHEREAS, on January 12, 2024, the Georgia General Assembly affirmed its commitment21 to peace by supporting calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza; and22 WHEREAS, continuing to invest state resources in companies, whether domestic or abroad,23 that profit directly from perpetuating violence runs counter to t h e s e c o m m i t m e n t s a n d24 undermines Georgia's stated values; and25 WHEREAS, this includes companies operating in or partnered with nations documented to26 be involved in widespread and systemic human rights violations, including but not limited27 to Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where state and corporate entities have been28 identified for direct or indirect participation in conflict, vi olence, occupation, forced29 displacement, political repression, and other human rights abuses; and30 WHEREAS, it is proper to further recognize the ongoing humanita rian crisis in31 Sudan—marked by mass displacement, ethnic cleansing, political repression, and widespread32 violence—largely driven by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a pa ramilitary organization33 responsible for atrocities against civilians and whose operations have been financially and34 materially supported by actors linked to the UAE, contributing to instability, civilian harm,35 and regional insecurity; and36 H. R. 1001 - 2 - 26 LC 112 3712 WHEREAS, investing in companies that directly profit from or en able such conflicts,37 including those tied to the RSF's ongoing violence in Sudan, stands in direct opposition to38 Georgia's moral responsibility to prevent human suffering and align public funds with public39 values; and40 WHEREAS, we must also recognize the grave humanitarian crisis i n the Democratic41 Republic of the Congo, where conflict minerals—including cobalt , gold, coltan, and42 tungsten—play a major role in fueling violence, displacement, environmental devastation,43 and forced labor, particularly affecting women and children; and44 WHEREAS, Georgia residents depend heavily on smart phones, computers, electric vehicles,45 and other technologies that rely on these minerals and therefor e have a vested interest in46 ensuring that supply chains are conflict-free, transparent, sustainable, and not tied to human47 rights abuses; and48 WHEREAS, investing in companies that extract, process, or profit from conflict minerals in49 the Congo, without credible certification of conflict-free supply chains, stands in opposition50 to Georgia's responsibility to prevent violence and align public funds with public values; and51 WHEREAS, audits and public reporting on state investments—including, but not limited to,52 pension funds, state funds, managed investments, capital reserv es, contractual holdings,53 treasury instruments, tax-advantaged accounts, and any other pu blicly managed financial54 resources—have raised concerns that certain holdings may not fu lly align with ethical55 investment standards, including guidelines established by the A merican Friends Service56 Committee.57 H. R. 1001 - 3 - 26 LC 112 3712 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that58 the members of this body urge the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System59 of Georgia, the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, the Stat e Treasurer, the State60 Accounting Office, and all other state-managed investment entities, boards, divisions, and61 authorities to ensure that all state-controlled funds—including retirement funds, investment62 portfolios, bond holdings, procurement-related investments, endowments, reserve funds, and63 all other public financial assets—are not invested in companies that are complicit in64 perpetuating violence against people within our state or abroad, including but not limited to65 corporate entities operating in or with Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE),66 Sudan—particularly those linked to the RSF—and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,67 according to the guidelines established by the American Friends Service Committee.68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body express th eir support for69 divestment from companies whose supply chains rely on conflict minerals tied to violence 70 as well as the implementation of transparent reporting and rout ine review of all state71 investments and funds to ensure compliance with this standard a nd to uphold the moral,72 ethical, and fiscal responsibility entrusted to this body by the people of Georgia.73 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized74 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the75 Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, the76 Office of the State Treasurer, the public, and the press.77 H. 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