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HF721 • 2026

A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
STONE
Last action
2025-03-04
Official status
Introduced, referred to Ways and Means. H.J. 490 .
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

What This Bill Does

  • A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-04 Iowa Legislature

    Introduced, referred to Ways and Means. H.J. 490 .

Official Summary Text

A bill for an act relating to the consideration of nonfinancial factors in providing financial services, including actions regarding the economic interest of enterprise shareholders and participants in and beneficiaries of public pension benefit plans, and providing penalties.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
House

File

721

-

Introduced

HOUSE

FILE

721

BY

STONE

A

BILL

FOR

An

Act

relating

to

the

consideration

of

nonfinancial

factors

in

1

providing

financial

services,

including

actions

regarding

2

the

economic

interest

of

enterprise

shareholders

and

3

participants

in

and

beneficiaries

of

public

pension

benefit

4

plans,

and

providing

penalties.

5

BE

IT

ENACTED

BY

THE

GENERAL

ASSEMBLY

OF

THE

STATE

OF

IOWA:

6

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721

Section

1.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.1

Definitions.

1

For

purposes

of

this

chapter:

2

1.

“Best

economic

interest”

means

investment

pursuant

to

the

3

objective

of

maximizing

risk-adjusted

investment

returns

of

the

4

participants

and

beneficiaries

of

a

pension

benefit

plan

over

a

5

time

horizon

consistent

with

the

risk

management

profile

of

the

6

plan.

7

2.

“Consumer”

means

a

person

who

is

a

resident

of

this

state

8

and

to

which

any

of

the

following

apply:

9

a.

The

person

has

an

interest

in

an

investment

company,

10

including

but

not

limited

to

mutual

funds

and

exchange-traded

11

funds,

registered

with

the

federal

securities

and

exchange

12

commission

that

directly

or

indirectly

owns

shares

of

an

13

enterprise

regulated

by

the

state.

14

b.

The

person

is

a

beneficiary

of

or

participant

in

a

15

pension

benefit

plan.

16

c.

The

person

has

sought

or

is

seeking

a

relationship

with

a

17

financial

institution

for

the

provision

of

financial

services.

18

3.

“Discriminate

in

the

provision

of

financial

services”

19

means

to

refuse

to

provide,

terminate,

or

restrict

financial

20

services

based

on

an

analysis

or

rating

that

evaluates

any

of

21

the

following:

22

a.

A

person’s

speech,

association,

or

exercise

of

religion

23

that

is

protected

from

government

interference

by

state

or

24

federal

law.

25

b.

A

person’s

failure

or

refusal

to

adopt

a

target

or

make

26

a

disclosure

related

to

greenhouse

gas

emissions

beyond

what

27

is

required

by

law.

28

c.

A

person’s

failure

or

refusal

to

conduct

any

type

of

29

racial,

diversity,

or

gender

audit

or

to

provide

a

preference

30

or

benefit

based

on

race,

diversity,

or

gender

beyond

what

is

31

required

by

law.

32

d.

A

person’s

failure

or

refusal

to

assist

an

employee

in

33

obtaining

an

abortion

or

gender

reassignment

services.

34

e.

A

person’s

participation

in

lawful

business

associations

35

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or

activities,

including

but

not

limited

to

those

related

to

1

fossil

fuels,

firearms,

firearm

accessories,

or

ammunition,

2

except

for

purposes

of

a

financial

institution’s

analysis

of

3

a

person’s

quantifiable

financial

risks

based

on

impartial,

4

financial-based

standards

established

in

advance

by

the

5

financial

institution

and

publicly

disclosed

to

consumers.

6

4.

“Economic

analysis”

means

a

written

analysis

7

demonstrating

the

factors

considered

in

evaluating

the

economic

8

impact

of

a

shareholder-sponsored

proposal.

At

a

minimum,

the

9

analysis

must

address

all

of

the

following

factors:

10

a.

The

subject

matter

of

the

shareholder-sponsored

proposal.

11

b.

An

evaluation

of

the

investment

company’s

stated

reasons

12

for

opposition

to

the

shareholder-sponsored

proposal.

13

c.

An

evaluation

of

whether

the

shareholder-sponsored

14

proposal

reflects

the

investment

objectives

and

risk

management

15

profile

of

the

pension

benefit

plan

in

which

the

participants

16

and

beneficiaries

are

invested.

17

d.

An

evaluation

of

the

economic

benefits

and

costs

of

18

implementing

the

proposal,

as

written,

over

a

time

horizon

that

19

reflects

the

investment

objectives

and

risk

management

profile

20

of

the

plan.

21

e.

The

quantifiable

impact

of

the

shareholder-sponsored

22

proposal,

as

written,

on

the

investment

returns

of

the

23

participants

and

beneficiaries

of

the

plan.

24

f.

An

explanation

of

modeling,

procedures,

or

processes

used

25

to

complete

the

economic

analysis.

26

5.

“Fiduciary”

means

a

person

who,

with

respect

to

a

pension

27

benefit

plan,

does

any

of

the

following:

28

a.

Exercises

discretionary

authority

or

discretionary

29

control

with

respect

to

management

of

the

plan

or

exercises

30

authority

or

control

with

respect

to

acquisition,

management,

31

or

disposition

of

the

plan’s

assets.

32

b.

Renders

investment

advice

for

a

fee

or

other

33

compensation,

direct

or

indirect,

with

respect

to

moneys

or

34

other

assets

of

the

plan

or

has

authority

or

responsibility

to

35

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do

so.

1

c.

Has

discretionary

authority

or

discretionary

2

responsibility

in

the

administration

of

the

plan.

3

6.

“Financial

institution”

means

any

of

the

following:

4

a.

A

bank

that

has

more

than

one

hundred

billion

dollars

of

5

assets.

6

b.

A

payment

processor,

credit

card

company,

credit

card

7

network,

payment

network,

payment

service

provider,

or

payment

8

gateway

that

has

processed

more

than

one

hundred

billion

9

dollars

in

transactions

in

the

previous

calendar

year.

10

c.

An

affiliate

or

subsidiary

of

an

entity

described

in

11

paragraph

“a”

or

“b”

that

is

owned

or

controlled

by

the

entity.

12

7.

“Financial

service”

means

a

financial

product

or

service

13

offered

by

a

financial

institution.

14

8.

“Investment

company”

means

the

same

as

defined

in

15

15

U.S.C.

§80a-3.

16

9.

“Pension

benefit

plan”

or

“plan”

means

a

plan,

fund,

or

17

program

established,

maintained,

or

offered

by

a

public

entity,

18

including

but

not

limited

to

a

public

retirement

system

as

19

defined

in

section

97D.5,

if

by

its

terms

or

as

a

result

of

20

surrounding

circumstances

the

plan,

fund,

or

program

does

any

21

of

the

following:

22

a.

Provides

retirement

income

or

other

retirement

benefits

23

to

employees

or

former

employees.

24

b.

Results

in

a

deferral

of

income

by

employees

for

a

period

25

extending

to

the

termination

of

covered

employment

or

beyond.

26

10.

“Proxy

advisory

firm”

means

a

person

who

is

engaged

27

in

the

business

of

providing

proxy

voting

advice,

research,

28

analysis,

ratings,

or

recommendations

to

a

fiduciary,

29

shareholder,

or

investor,

including

institutional

investors.

30

11.

“Public

entity”

means

the

state,

political

subdivisions

31

of

the

state,

public

school

corporations,

and

all

public

32

officers,

boards,

commissions,

departments,

agencies,

and

33

authorities

empowered

by

law

to

enter

into

public

contracts

for

34

the

expenditure

of

public

funds,

including

the

state

board

of

35

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regents

and

institutions

under

the

control

of

the

state

board

1

of

regents.

2

12.

“Shareholder-sponsored

proposal”

means

a

proposal

3

submitted

to

an

issuer

of

securities

by

a

shareholder

under

17

4

C.F.R.

§240.14a-8.

5

Sec.

2.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.2

Fiduciary

voting

6

responsibilities.

7

1.

A

fiduciary

shall

vote

all

shares

held

directly

8

or

indirectly

by,

subject

to,

or

on

behalf

of

a

pension

9

benefit

plan

for

the

benefit

of

the

plan’s

participants

and

10

beneficiaries

solely

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan

11

participants

and

beneficiaries.

12

2.

For

purposes

of

this

section,

with

respect

to

a

13

shareholder-sponsored

proposal,

there

is

a

rebuttable

14

presumption

that

a

fiduciary

votes

its

shares

solely

15

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan

participants

16

and

beneficiaries

if

the

fiduciary’s

vote

follows

the

17

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

18

shares,

as

long

as

the

board

includes

a

majority

of

independent

19

directors.

20

3.

With

respect

to

a

shareholder-sponsored

proposal,

21

a

fiduciary’s

vote

in

a

manner

inconsistent

with

the

22

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

23

shares

is

presumed

to

be

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

24

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries

if

any

of

the

following

25

criteria

are

met:

26

a.

The

fiduciary

conducts

and

documents

an

economic

analysis

27

demonstrating

that

such

a

vote

is

in

the

best

economic

interest

28

of

the

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries.

29

b.

On

behalf

of

the

fiduciary,

a

third

party

conducts

and

30

documents

an

economic

analysis

demonstrating

that

such

a

vote

31

is

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan

participants

32

and

beneficiaries,

and

the

fiduciary

determines

that

the

33

economic

analysis

adequately

demonstrates

that

such

a

vote

is

34

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan

participants

and

35

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beneficiaries.

1

4.

A

fiduciary

shall

not

vote

in

a

manner

that

does

any

of

2

the

following:

3

a.

Subordinates

the

economic

interest

of

the

plan’s

4

participants

and

beneficiaries

to

any

environmental,

social,

5

policy,

governance,

or

ideological

goal.

6

b.

Promotes

any

environmental,

social,

policy,

governance,

7

or

ideological

goal,

unless,

based

on

an

economic

analysis,

it

8

is

determined

that

the

vote

is

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

9

the

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries.

10

5.

With

respect

to

shareholder-sponsored

proposals,

a

11

fiduciary

shall

annually

disclose

in

a

report

to

the

treasurer

12

of

state

all

of

the

following:

13

a.

Each

vote

that

was

inconsistent

with

the

recommendation

14

of

an

issuer’s

board

of

directors

composed

of

a

majority

of

15

independent

directors.

16

b.

The

economic

analysis

conducted

and

documented

with

17

respect

to

each

vote

described

in

subsection

3

to

determine

18

that

the

vote

was

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan’s

19

participants

and

beneficiaries.

20

6.

The

report

required

under

subsection

5

must

be

certified

21

by

the

chief

executive

officer

and

chief

financial

officer,

or

22

an

individual

acting

in

each

capacity,

of

the

fiduciary.

23

7.

At

least

once

every

three

years,

a

fiduciary

shall

24

back

test

its

economic

analysis

to

ensure

that

the

models,

25

procedures,

and

processes

it

uses

predict

the

best

economic

26

interest

of

the

plan’s

participants

and

beneficiaries,

and

27

shall

deliver

a

report

detailing

such

back

testing

to

the

28

treasurer

of

state.

Based

on

such

back

testing,

the

chief

29

executive

officer

and

chief

financial

officer,

or

an

individual

30

acting

in

each

capacity,

of

the

fiduciary

shall

certify

that

31

the

economic

analysis

performed

by

the

fiduciary

and

included

32

in

the

report

is

effective.

33

8.

The

court

may

award

court

costs

and

reasonable

attorney

34

fees

to

a

party

who

prevails

in

an

action

brought

under

this

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section.

1

Sec.

3.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.3

Proxy

advisory

firms.

2

1.

A

proxy

advisory

firm

shall

not

provide

proxy

voting

3

advice

with

respect

to

shareholder-sponsored

proposals

4

submitted

to

any

enterprise

that

the

state

regulates,

unless

5

the

proxy

advisory

firm

bases

its

voting

recommendations

6

solely

on

the

best

economic

interests

of

the

enterprise’s

7

shareholders.

8

2.

For

purposes

of

this

section,

with

respect

to

a

9

shareholder-sponsored

proposal

submitted

to

an

enterprise

10

regulated

by

the

state,

there

is

a

presumption

that

a

proxy

11

advisory

firm’s

voting

recommendation

is

based

solely

on

the

12

best

economic

interest

of

the

enterprise’s

shareholders

if

13

the

recommendation

follows

the

recommendation

of

the

board

of

14

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

shares,

as

long

as

the

board

15

includes

a

majority

of

independent

directors.

16

3.

With

respect

to

a

shareholder-sponsored

proposal

17

submitted

to

an

enterprise

regulated

by

the

state,

a

proxy

18

advisory

firm

may

recommend

a

vote

that

is

inconsistent

with

19

the

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

20

the

shares

if

the

proxy

advisory

firm

conducts

and

documents

an

21

economic

analysis

demonstrating

that

such

a

vote

is

in

the

best

22

economic

interest

of

the

enterprise’s

shareholders.

23

4.

With

respect

to

shareholder-sponsored

proposals

24

submitted

to

an

enterprise

regulated

by

the

state,

a

proxy

25

advisory

firm

shall

annually

disclose

in

a

report

to

the

26

treasurer

of

state

all

of

the

following:

27

a.

Each

vote

recommendation

that

was

inconsistent

with

the

28

recommendation

of

an

issuer’s

board

of

directors

composed

of

a

29

majority

of

independent

directors.

30

b.

The

economic

analysis

conducted

and

documented

with

31

respect

to

each

vote

recommendation

described

in

subsection

32

3

to

determine

that

the

vote

recommendation

was

in

the

best

33

economic

interest

of

the

regulated

enterprise’s

shareholders.

34

Sec.

4.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.4

Consumer

right

to

disclosure.

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1.

a.

If

a

consumer

has

reason

to

believe

that

the

1

requirements

of

section

12L.2

or

12L.3

have

not

been

met,

a

2

consumer

may

submit

a

request

to

any

of

the

following

to

obtain

3

a

copy

of

the

documented

economic

analysis

demonstrating

that

4

such

a

vote

is

solely

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

5

consumer:

6

(1)

The

investment

company

that

owns

shares

of

an

enterprise

7

regulated

by

the

state.

8

(2)

The

pension

benefit

plan,

in

each

case,

in

which

the

9

consumer

is

an

investor,

beneficiary,

or

participant.

10

b.

There

is

a

presumption

that

a

vote

is

solely

in

the

11

best

economic

interest

of

the

consumer

if

the

vote

follows

the

12

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

13

shares,

as

long

as

the

board

includes

a

majority

of

independent

14

directors.

15

2.

a.

The

investment

company

or

plan

shall

respond

in

16

writing

to

the

consumer

within

ninety

days

of

receipt

of

17

a

request

described

in

subsection

1

by

doing

one

of

the

18

following:

19

(1)

Providing

the

consumer

with

the

requested

economic

20

analysis.

21

(2)

Informing

the

consumer

that

no

economic

analysis

is

22

available,

if

the

investment

company

did

not

conduct

and

23

document

an

economic

analysis.

24

(3)

Informing

the

consumer

that

the

vote

at

issue

was

25

consistent

with

the

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

26

of

the

issuer

of

the

shares

and

such

board

is

composed

of

a

27

majority

of

independent

directors.

28

b.

The

investment

company

or

plan

shall

provide

information

29

in

response

to

a

consumer

request

at

no

cost

up

to

twice

30

annually

per

consumer.

31

Sec.

5.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.5

Prohibition

on

discrimination.

32

1.

A

financial

institution

shall

not

discriminate

in

33

the

provision

of

financial

services

or

agree,

conspire,

or

34

coordinate

to

do

so.

35

-7-

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721

2.

If

a

financial

institution

refuses

to

provide,

1

restricts,

or

terminates

service

to

a

consumer,

the

consumer

2

may

submit

a

request

for

a

written

statement

of

the

specific

3

reasons

for

the

decision

by

telephone,

mail,

or

electronic

4

mail

within

ninety

days

of

receiving

notice

of

the

decision.

5

Unless

otherwise

prohibited

by

law,

the

financial

institution

6

shall

transmit

the

written

statement

within

fourteen

days

of

7

receiving

the

consumer’s

request.

The

statement

must

include

8

all

of

the

following:

9

a.

A

detailed

explanation

of

the

basis

for

the

denial,

10

restriction,

or

termination

of

service.

11

b.

A

copy

of

the

terms

of

service

agreed

to

by

the

consumer

12

and

the

financial

institution.

13

c.

A

citation

of

the

specific

provisions

of

the

terms

of

14

service

on

which

the

financial

institution

relied

to

deny,

15

restrict,

or

terminate

service.

16

3.

A

consumer

who

has

been

discriminated

against

by

a

17

financial

institution

may

bring

an

action

to

recover

damages

18

or

seek

an

injunction.

19

Sec.

6.

NEW

SECTION

.

12L.6

Enforcement.

20

1.

This

chapter

may

be

enforced

by

the

attorney

general.

21

2.

If

the

attorney

general

has

reasonable

cause

to

believe

22

that

a

person

has

engaged

in,

is

engaging

in,

or

is

about

to

23

engage

in

a

violation

of

this

chapter,

the

attorney

general

may

24

do

any

of

the

following:

25

a.

Require

the

person

to

file

on

forms

prescribed

by

the

26

attorney

general

a

statement

or

report

in

writing,

under

oath,

27

as

to

all

the

circumstances

surrounding

the

actual,

alleged,

or

28

potential

violation

and

such

other

data

and

information

as

the

29

attorney

general

deems

necessary.

30

b.

Examine

under

oath

any

person

in

connection

with

the

31

actual,

alleged,

or

potential

violation.

32

c.

Examine

any

record,

book,

document,

account,

or

paper

as

33

the

attorney

general

deems

necessary.

34

d.

Issue

civil

investigatory

demands

consistent

with

35

-8-

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721

investigation

into

a

potential

enforcement

action.

1

e.

Under

an

order

of

the

district

court,

impound

any

record,

2

book,

document,

account,

paper,

or

sample

or

material

relating

3

to

the

actual,

alleged,

or

potential

violation

and

retain

the

4

same

in

the

attorney

general’s

possession

until

the

completion

5

of

all

proceedings

undertaken

under

this

chapter

or

in

court.

6

3.

The

attorney

general

may

initiate

an

action

in

the

7

name

of

the

state

and

may

seek

an

injunction

to

restrain

8

any

violations

of

this

chapter.

A

violation

of

this

chapter

9

shall

constitute

irreparable

harm.

Each

share

voted

by

a

10

fiduciary

that

is

not

voted

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

11

the

shareholder

constitutes

a

separate

violation.

The

attorney

12

general

may

also

seek

civil

penalties

for

each

violation

under

13

this

chapter.

All

civil

penalties

issued

shall

be

in

equity.

14

Civil

penalties

shall

not

exceed

one

thousand

dollars

per

15

violation.

Civil

penalties

collected

under

this

chapter

shall

16

be

deposited

in

the

general

fund

of

the

state.

17

Sec.

7.

Section

97A.7,

subsection

1,

Code

2025,

is

amended

18

to

read

as

follows:

19

1.

The

board

of

trustees

shall

be

the

trustees

of

the

20

retirement

fund

created

by

this

chapter

as

provided

in

section

21

97A.8

and

shall

have

full

power

to

invest

and

reinvest

funds

22

subject

to

the

terms,

conditions,

limitations,

and

restrictions

23

imposed

by

subsection

2

and

chapters

12F

,

12H

,

12J

,

and

12K

,

24

and

12L

and

subject

to

like

terms,

conditions,

limitations,

25

and

restrictions

said

trustees

shall

have

full

power

to

hold,

26

purchase,

sell,

assign,

transfer,

or

dispose

of

any

of

the

27

securities

and

investments

of

the

retirement

fund

which

have

28

been

invested,

as

well

as

of

the

proceeds

of

said

investments

29

and

any

moneys

belonging

to

the

retirement

fund.

The

board

30

of

trustees

may

authorize

the

treasurer

of

state

to

exercise

31

any

of

the

duties

of

this

section

.

When

so

authorized

the

32

treasurer

of

state

shall

report

any

transactions

to

the

board

33

of

trustees

at

its

next

monthly

meeting.

34

Sec.

8.

Section

97B.4,

subsection

5,

Code

2025,

is

amended

35

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to

read

as

follows:

1

5.

Investments.

The

system,

through

the

chief

investment

2

officer,

shall

invest,

subject

to

chapters

12F

,

12H

,

12J

,

and

3

12K

,

and

12L

and

in

accordance

with

the

investment

policy

and

4

goal

statement

established

by

the

board,

the

portion

of

the

5

retirement

fund

which,

in

the

judgment

of

the

system,

is

not

6

needed

for

current

payment

of

benefits

under

this

chapter

7

subject

to

the

requirements

of

section

97B.7A

.

8

Sec.

9.

Section

97B.7A,

subsection

1,

Code

2025,

is

amended

9

by

adding

the

following

new

paragraph:

10

NEW

PARAGRAPH

.

d.

Prioritize

the

best

economic

interest

of

11

the

system’s

participants

and

beneficiaries

in

accordance

with

12

chapter

12L.

13

Sec.

10.

Section

262.14,

unnumbered

paragraph

1,

Code

2025,

14

is

amended

to

read

as

follows:

15

The

board

may

invest

funds

belonging

to

the

institutions,

16

subject

to

chapters

12F

,

12H

,

12J

,

and

12K

,

and

12L

and

the

17

following

regulations:

18

EXPLANATION

19

The

inclusion

of

this

explanation

does

not

constitute

agreement

with

20

the

explanation’s

substance

by

the

members

of

the

general

assembly.

21

This

bill

requires

a

fiduciary

to

vote

all

shares

of

a

22

pension

benefit

plan

established,

maintained,

or

offered

by

23

a

public

entity

solely

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

24

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries.

The

bill

creates

the

25

rebuttable

presumption

that,

if

a

fiduciary’s

vote

aligns

with

26

the

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

27

of

the

shares

or

if

the

fiduciary

or

a

third

party

conducts

28

and

documents

an

economic

analysis

showing

that

the

vote

is

29

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

plan

participants

and

30

beneficiaries,

the

vote

is

in

the

best

interest

of

the

plan

31

participants

and

beneficiaries.

The

bill

prohibits

a

fiduciary

32

from

voting

shares

of

a

plan

based

on

any

environmental,

33

social,

policy,

governance,

or

ideological

goal

that

is

34

not

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

plan

participants

and

35

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721

beneficiaries.

1

The

bill

requires

a

fiduciary

to

annually

report

to

2

the

treasurer

of

state

any

vote

inconsistent

with

the

3

recommendation

of

an

issuer’s

board

of

directors

and

the

4

economic

analysis

on

which

the

fiduciary

relied.

This

report

5

must

be

certified

by

the

fiduciary’s

chief

executive

officer

6

and

chief

financial

officer.

7

The

bill

also

requires

a

fiduciary

to

review

its

economic

8

analysis

every

three

years

to

ensure

that

the

fiduciary’s

9

models,

procedures,

and

processes

predict

the

best

economic

10

interest

of

the

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries.

11

The

bill

permits

a

court

to

award

court

costs

and

reasonable

12

attorney

fees

to

the

prevailing

party

in

a

suit

concerning

13

fiduciary

voting

responsibilities

under

the

bill.

14

The

bill

prohibits

a

proxy

advisory

firm

from

providing

15

proxy

voting

advice

regarding

shareholder-sponsored

proposals

16

to

an

entity

that

the

state

regulates

unless

the

advice

is

17

based

solely

on

the

best

economic

interests

of

the

enterprise’s

18

shareholders.

If

a

proxy

advisory

firm’s

advice

follows

the

19

recommendation

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

20

shares

or

if

the

proxy

advisory

firm

conducts

and

documents

an

21

economic

analysis

demonstrating

that

the

vote

is

in

the

best

22

economic

interest

of

the

plan

participants

and

beneficiaries,

23

then

the

advice

is

presumed

to

be

based

solely

on

the

best

24

economic

interest

of

the

enterprise’s

shareholders.

A

proxy

25

advisory

firm

must

submit

an

annual

report

to

the

treasurer

of

26

state

disclosing

any

vote

inconsistent

with

the

issuer’s

board

27

of

directors’

recommendations

and

the

economic

analysis

on

28

which

the

proxy

advisory

firm

relied.

29

The

bill

permits

an

investor,

beneficiary,

or

participant

of

30

a

plan

to

submit

a

request

for

the

economic

analysis

conducted

31

for

a

fiduciary’s

vote

to

the

investment

company

that

owns

32

shares

of

an

enterprise

regulated

by

the

state

or

the

plan

if

33

the

individual

has

reason

to

believe

the

provisions

of

the

bill

34

have

not

been

met.

The

investment

company

or

plan

must

respond

35

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721

in

writing

within

90

days

by

providing

the

requested

economic

1

analysis

or

informing

the

individual

that

no

economic

analysis

2

was

conducted

or

the

vote

aligned

with

the

recommendation

3

of

the

board

of

directors

of

the

issuer

of

the

shares.

The

4

investment

company

or

plan

must

provide

such

a

response

without

5

cost

up

to

twice

annually

per

consumer.

6

The

bill

prohibits

a

financial

institution

from

refusing

to

7

provide,

terminating,

or

restricting

financial

services

based

8

on

certain

nonfinancial

factors.

If

a

financial

institution

9

refuses

to

provide,

terminates,

or

restricts

financial

10

services,

a

consumer

may

request

within

90

days

a

written

11

statement

of

the

specific

reasons

for

the

decision,

which

the

12

financial

institution

must

provide

within

14

days.

A

person

13

who

is

discriminated

against

by

a

financial

institution

may

14

bring

an

action

to

recover

damages

or

seek

an

injunction.

15

The

bill

allows

the

attorney

general

to

investigate

any

16

suspected

violations

of

the

bill

and

to

enforce

the

bill’s

17

provisions

by

initiating

an

action

in

the

name

of

the

state

18

and

seeking

civil

penalties

for

each

violation.

Each

share

19

not

voted

in

the

best

economic

interest

of

the

shareholder

20

qualifies

as

a

separate

violation

and

constitutes

irreparable

21

harm.

The

bill

requires

civil

penalties

to

be

in

equity

and

22

to

not

exceed

$1,000

per

violation.

Civil

penalties

collected

23

under

the

bill

are

deposited

in

the

general

fund

of

the

state.

24

The

bill

makes

conforming

changes.

25

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12