Public contracts: state and local agencies: businesses engaged in boycott.

Existing law requires that contracts between private parties and public entities, defined to include specified local entities, contain various specified provisions. This bill would, with certain exceptions, prohibit a public entity from entering into a contract to acquire or dispose of goods, services, information technology, or construction unless the contract includes a representation that the contractor is not currently engaged in, and an agreement that the contractor will not during the duration of the contract engage in, the boycott, as defined, of a person or an entity based in or doing business with a jurisdiction with which the state can enjoy open trade, defined as a state that is a member of the World Trade Organization. The bill would specify that these provisions constitute a matter of statewide concern. By imposing additional duties with respect to local public contracting, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.