HB2591

THE CONTEXT: Laws 2022, Chapter 295 prohibits a public entity from entering into or renewing a contract with a company for the acquisition or disposition of goods, information technology, construction, services or supplies unless the contract includes a written certification that the company does not currently and agrees for the duration of the contract that it will not use the forced labor of ethnic Uyghurs in the People's Republic of China. Public entity is defined as this state, a political subdivision of this state or a commission, department, board or agency of this state or a political subdivision.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would state that a public power entity or public service corporation may not enter into or renew a contract with a company or person for the acquisition of electric vehicles, utility scale batteries or land unless the contract includes a sworn certification that the person or company does not currently, and agrees for the duration of the contract that it will not, knowingly use: a) forced labor; b) oppressive child labor; c) any services or goods produced by oppressive child labor or forced labor; and d) any suppliers, contractors or subcontractors that use oppressive child labor or forced labor or any services or goods produced by oppressive child labor or forced labor, specifies that an automobile manufacturer must provide the required sworn certification for contracts to acquire electric vehicles and the component parts of electric vehicles, and require a company or person, within five business days after becoming aware of noncompliance, to notify the public power entity or public service corporation that the company or person is not in compliance with the sworn certification during the term of the contract.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to provide a clearer protection or process for families dealing with forced labor. It would state that a public power entity or public service corporation may not enter into or renew a contract with a company or person for the acquisition of electric vehicles, utility scale batteries or land unless the contract includes a sworn certification that the person or company does not currently, and agrees for the duration of the contract that it will not, knowingly use: a) forced labor; b) oppressive child labor; c) any services or goods produced by oppressive child labor or forced labor; and d) any suppliers, contractors or subcontractors that use oppressive child labor or forced labor or any services or goods produced by oppressive child labor or forced labor, and would also specifies that an automobile manufacturer must provide the required sworn certification for contracts to acquire electric vehicles and the component parts of electric vehicles, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.