Texas state Sen. Brian Birdwell and state Rep. Phil King filed legislation for a priority item in the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Liberty Action Agenda. Senate Bill 13 and HB 2189 will prohibit companies that divest from, boycott, or sanction the fossil fuel industry from doing business with the state of Texas.
“Texas must send a strong message to corporations actively attacking our state’s energy industry: If you boycott Texas energy, Texas will boycott you,” said Jason Isaac, director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered project and a former state legislator. “Companies that divest from Texas’ energy resources — especially those charged with the weighty responsibility of stewarding our state employees’ and teachers’ pensions — should not be compensated with our tax dollars.”
SB 13 and HB 2189 are modeled after similar legislation passed and signed into law in 2017 to prohibit state contracts with companies that boycott Israel.
“We’re grateful to Lt. Gov. Patrick for making this legislation one of his top priorities, and to Sen. Birdwell and Rep. King for their leadership,” Isaac continued. “Texas is proud to be leading the way as states fight back against the energy discrimination that threatens our economy, national security, and way of life.”
Click here to learn more about energy discrimination and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.
Click here to view TPPF and Life:Powered’s energy priorities for the 87th Legislative session.