TITLE 37
Public Property and Works
CHAPTER 37-2.5
Prohibition on Contracting With Iran
SECTION 37-2.5-1
§ 37-2.5-1 Legislative findings.
It is hereby found by the general assembly as follows:
(1) In imposing sanctions on Iran, the United States Congress
and the President of the United States have determined that the illicit nuclear
activities of Iran, combined with its development of unconventional weapons and
ballistic missiles, and its support of international terrorism, represent a
serious threat to the security of the United States and its allies around the
world.
(2) The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly
called attention to Iran's unlawful nuclear activities, and as a result, the
United Nations Security Council has adopted four (4) rounds of sanctions
designed to compel the government of Iran to cease those activities and comply
with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons, commonly known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
(3) The human rights situation in Iran has steadily
deteriorated since the fraudulent elections of 2009, as evidenced by the brutal
repression, torture, murder and arbitrary detention of peaceful protestors,
dissidents and minorities.
(4) On July 1, 2010, President Obama signed into law the
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, which
expressly authorizes state and local governments to prevent investment in,
including prohibiting entry into or renewing contracts with, companies
operating in Iran and includes provisions that preclude companies that do
business in Iran from contracting with the United States government.
(5) It is the intention of the general assembly to implement
this authority granted under Section 202 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions,
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010.
(6) There are moral and reputational reasons for state and
local governments to not engage in business with foreign companies that have
business activities benefiting foreign states, such as Iran, that pursue
illegal nuclear programs, support acts of terrorism and commit violations of
human rights.
(7) Short-term economic profits cannot be a justification to
circumvent even in spirit those international sanctions designed to thwart Iran
from developing nuclear weapons.
(8) The concerns of this general assembly regarding Iran are
strictly the result of the actions of the government of Iran and should not be
construed as enmity toward the Iranian people.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2013, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 225, § 2.)