A bill that would prohibit Georgia state agencies from doing business with a Russian government owned business is making its way through the General Assembly. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), sailed through the Senate 53-0 recently and could be heard for vote next week by the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
The legislation would prohibit any state agency from contracting with any company that is operated or owned by the government of Russia or Belarus. This would become effective July 1 if approved by both Chambers and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. As for agencies already contracting with a Russian government owned business, Rep. Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas), said those agencies should “look at finding another company to do business with.”
Momtaham presented the bill to the House Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday on behalf of Mullis. “I think it would be in their best interest to start looking elsewhere, and find another company to do business with.”
The bill also requires that any company submitting a bid for a contract with a Georgia state agency certify that it is not owned or operated by the Russian government. The legislation also institutes a penalty for any company that submits falsified certification.
Taylor Hawkins, representing Frontline Policy, spoke in favor of the bill during Wednesday’s hearing. “We feel like this is a good bill and it has our support,” Hawkins said. “Human dignity is one of our core values, and we believe that Russia has infringed on the human dignity of the lives of Ukrainians with their actions.”
Committee Chair Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) did not call for a vote on the bill Wednesday but said they would be setting the calendar for next week for a vote. Mullis has 31 Senate co-sponsors on the bill.
