ATLANTA – State Representatives John Carson (R-Marietta) and Mike Wilensky (D-Dunwoody) today announced that the Georgia House of Representatives gave final passage to House Bill 383, legislation which seeks to protect the state’s economic relationship with Israel.
“I am very pleased that the Georgia General Assembly came together, on a bipartisan basis and on Holocaust Remembrance Day, to update and strengthen Georgia’s ‘Anti-BDS’ statute,” said Rep. Carson. “The state of Georgia values our relationship with the nation of Israel, and under this bill, we will not contract with corporations that embrace ‘BDS’ against Israel. As a result of the General Assembly’s final passage of HB 383 yesterday, any questions regarding the statute’s First Amendment concerns should now be resolved and put to rest.”
“I am excited that this bill passed the Georgia House,” said Rep. Wilensky. “It protects our state and enhances the mutually beneficial relationship between Georgia and Israel. We are very fortunate to have Israel as an economic, technological and military partner.”
Several years ago, the General Assembly passed legislation that would prohibit the state from participating in commercial contracts that discriminate against businesses that operate in Israel. To clarify this original law, HB 383 would prohibit the state from entering into a contract valued at $100,000 or more with a company without written certification that the company is not and will not participate in a boycott of Israel.
“I wish to thank the American Jewish Committee and the Israeli American Council for their hard work and dedication to updating our statute,” added Rep. Carson. “Without their expertise, analysis and research, this simply could not have happened. I also wish to thank the many citizens who came together for this initiative. Georgia stands with Israel, not just because of economic benefits, but as a matter of faith, principle and love for our two countries.”
For more information on HB 383, please click here.
Representative John Carson represents the citizens of District 46, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Retirement Committee. He also serves on the MARTOC, Rules, State Planning and Community Affairs, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Ways & Means and Intragovernmental Coordination committees. He is also an Ex-Officio member on the Appropriations Committee.
Representative Mike Wilensky represents the citizens of District 79, which includes portions of DeKalb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Judiciary, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Regulated Industries and Intragovernmental Coordination committees.
###