Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.R. 5 (2018GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Ivory, K.

Final action

House/ to Lieutenant Governor 3/14/2018

Outcome

House/ to Lieutenant Governor

Summary

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

HOUSE RESOLUTION ON TRADE RELATIONS WITH
ISRAEL
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Ken Ivory
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution of the House of Representatives addresses trade relations with the State
of Israel.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
▸ opposes boycott, divestment, or sanctions movements in any form against the State
of Israel;
▸ encourages promoting and strengthening trade relations between the business
communities of Utah and Israel; and
▸ encourages activities related to trade with Israel.
Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, the State of Israel is the most prominent target of nationally discriminatory
boycott activity, which began even before Israel's declaration of independence as the
reestablished national state of the Jewish people, with the Arab League Boycott adopted in
1945;
WHEREAS, companies that refuse to deal with U.S. trade partners such as Israel, and
do so for discriminatory reasons on the basis of national origin, impair those companies'
commercial soundness;
WHEREAS, it is the public policy of the United States, as enshrined in several federal
acts, to oppose boycotts against Israel, and Congress has concluded as a matter of national trade
policy that cooperation with Israel materially benefits U.S. companies and improves American
competitiveness;
WHEREAS, Israel is known for its dynamic and innovative approach in many business
sectors, and therefore a company's decision to discriminate against Israel, Israeli entities, or
entities that do business with or in Israel is an unsound business practice;
WHEREAS, the 1985 United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement was the first free
trade agreement entered into by the United States and continues to serve as the foundation for
expanding trade and investment between the United States and Israel by reducing barriers and
promoting regulatory transparency;
WHEREAS, since signing the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement, U.S.-Israel
trade has grown eight-fold and nearly all trade tariffs have been removed, resulting in U.S.
goods and services trade with Israel totaling $46 billion in 2013;
WHEREAS, Israel is an important trading partner for Utah;
WHEREAS, some of Utah's top exports to Israel include computer and electronic
products, machinery, and transportation equipment; and
WHEREAS, Israel is a global center for hi-tech design and research and development,
and could offer opportunities for collaboration between Israeli companies and Utah's Silicon
Slopes companies:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
state of Utah strongly opposes any form of boycott, divestment, or sanctions movements that
promote forms of boycott against the State of Israel.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives is dedicated to
promoting and strengthening trade relations between the business communities of Utah and
Israel.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives encourages activities
for the promotion of trade and export, initiating and maintaining trade agreements for the
improvement of Israel's, Utah's, and the United States' trade conditions, attracting and
encouraging foreign investments, and creating strategic cooperation with foreign companies.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives encourages foreign
investment in Utah companies and identifying Israeli companies that are open to cultivating a
U.S. presence.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel