Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Gov. Rick Scott once again threw his support behind a bill to keep Florida from doing business with firms that boycott Israel.
On Wednesday, Scott held a bill signing ceremony at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County in Boca Raton. It was a ceremonial event only; Scott formally signed the bill into law on Mach 10.
“For many generations, Florida and Israel have been close partners and allies,” said Scott in a prepared statement. “The bill ensures the State of Florida will not support those that participate in campaigns fueled by intolerance and anti-Semitism, like the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement.”
The law requires the State Board of Administration to determine whether a company that wants to do business with Florida is boycotting Israel. If it does, the company is “ineligible to, and may not, bid on, submit a proposal for, or enter into or renew a contract with an agency or local governmental entity for goods or services of $1 million or more.”
The bill was sponsored by Senate President Designate Joe Negron and Reps. Ritch Workman and Jared Moskowitz.
“Those who seek to inflict economic harm on Israel or weaken Florida’s ability to conduct trade with Israel will not receive any support from the state of Florida,” Negron said in a statement.
Said Moskowitz: “Florida’s friendship and partnership with Israel is unbreakable, and we will not support acts of hatred in our state.”
The State Board of Administration and other state agencies must implement the new policy beginning Oct. 16.
