The New Jersey Assembly today affirmed S-1889, which prohibits various government dealings with businesses associated with Belarus or Russia. Already passed 39-0 in the state senate, the bill will now go before Governor Phil Murphy, who is expected to sign it tomorrow.

The Assembly vote tally was 70-0.

“We are all aware of the hundreds if not thousands of innocent people who have been killed [in

Ukraine],” said Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36), a prime sponsor of the bill. “A sovereign state has been destroyed. What is our response?”

A roar of approval went up from the chamber when the assemblyman mentioned President Joe Biden’s announcement today of a ban on Russian energy imports.

“Thanks everybody for being united on this,” Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) said.

“Putin’s values and those of his sympathizers are antithetical to the principles of democracy and independence for which we as a country stand,” the speaker added in a statement. “Working in complement to national and global partners to condemn this unprovoked war and support Ukrainians’ fight, New Jersey has made clear we will not be a bystander.

Cutting ties as this legislation does sends not only a clear message by eliminating opportunities for trade and investment by aggressors but is a decisive action that will intensify the economic pressures imposed on and felt by Russia.”

Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (D-34) made a point of thanking Schaer for his remarks on the floor of the chamber on the bill, noting the particular meaning the issue holds for the Orthodox Jew. She also shared with her colleagues the fact that she herself has relatives in Ukraine, as her sister-in-law hails from the country attacked by Russia.

From the bill:

Pursuant to the bill, a person that engages in prohibited activity with the government of Russia or Belarus will be placed on a list by the Department of the Treasury and will not be permitted to: contract with State agencies, file or renew a Public Works Contractor Registration, receive an economic development subsidy from the Economic Development Authority, be awarded a municipal property tax abatement, or make or enter into a payment in-lieu of property tax agreement, apply for or receive a tax clearance certificate from the Division of Taxation, be certified by as an urban renewal entity for purposes of the “Long Term Tax Exemption Law,” or be designated as a redeveloper by a public agency for the purposes of the “Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.”  Persons engaged in prohibited activity include those (1) companies in which the Government of Russia or Belarus has any direct equity share; (2) having any business operations commencing after the effective date of this act that involve contracts with or the provision of goods or services to the Government of Russia or Belarus; (3) being headquartered in Russia or having its principal place of business in Russia or Belarus, or (4) supporting, assisting or facilitating the Government of Russia or Belarus in their campaigns to invade the sovereign country of Ukraine, either through in-kind support or for profit.

The bill also prohibits the State from investing pension or annuity funds in a company on the Department of the Treasury’s list.

Finally, the bill prohibits the State and its subdivisions from:  banking with, having or holding stock, debt, or other equity investments of, or maintaining insurance coverage through a policy issued by a financial institution on the Department of the Treasury’s list.

 The bill would expire upon the revocation of federal sanctions contained in Executive Order 14024.