NY State Senate Should Pass The Iranian Disinvestment Bill

Last month in this space we noted that the New York State Assembly was considering legislation that would prohibit domestic insurers from including on their financial statements investments in companies that engage in investment activities in Iran. These financial statements are relied upon by the state to determine whether the company is solvent and able to pay claims. That bill has since passed the Assembly, but the New York State Senate is balking at passing it as well.

As we reported, the bill’s lead sponsor, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, in explaining the rationale of the bill, said that while he “hope[s] this legislation further encourages divestment in Iran, it is my primary purpose to protect policyholders by making certain that the investments of our domestic insurers are financially sound.... Investments in a nation as volatile as Iran…should never be considered a sound investment.”

Passage of the bill is a no-brainer for anyone interested in furthering the interests of New Yorkers and Americans generally. The Senate should reconsider and quickly get on board. The legislature adjourns in a few days, so time is short.

More on this next week.