The Beverly Hills City Council will support Assemblymen Mike Feuer and Bob Blumenfield in their efforts to prohibit California and local governments from contracting with companies that have business activities in Iran’s energy sector by unanimously endorsing the assemblymembers’ newly introduced bill AB 1650.

The bill precludes all public entities in California from renewing or entering into contracts with companies that have substantial business in Iran’s energy sector, ensuring that California’s tax dollars do not support companies whose investments either directly or indirectly support Iran’s nuclear program, exploitation of terror and brutal suppression of internal dissent. Companies with current interests in Iran’s energy sector that choose to cease these operations will be permitted to contract with the state and local governments in California.

 “This legislation gives corporations with interests in Iran’s energy sector a clear choice—and if they choose to support Iran’s destabilizing, repressive regime, California’s taxpayers will not support them,” said Feuer. “As one of the largest economies in the world, California has an essential role to play in ensuring that the current regime in Iran lacks the resources it needs to further its nuclear ambitions.”

AB 1650 was heard and passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Feb. 16 and awaits further action in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.

It mirrors the Congressional legislation called “The Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009,” authored by Rep. Howard Berman. This legislation was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate is awaiting conference committee prior to being sent to President Barack Obama for his signature, said Cheryl Friedling, Assistant City Manager.

Currently, the City has no contracts with corporations that do business with the Iranian Petroleum/Natural Gas, Nuclear and Defense sectors.

Beverly Hills has been a leader in Iran Divestiture since 2007, when then-Mayor Jimmy Delshad championed the California Public Divestment From Iran Act that prohibits Cal-PERS and Cal-STRS from investing in corporations that conduct business in Iran’s energy sector. The bill was passed in State Legislature and was signed into law on Oct. 14, 2007.

Vice-Mayor Delshad, who will take over as mayor on March 16, has also addressed Iran divestiture with the National Security Commission and the United Nations.

“This is not a question of government against government, it is the people of America against governments that do not give freedom of speech, religion…This is a message from the people that we do approve or support a movement that does not allow a free society,” said Delshad.

Feuer stated upon hearing the announcement of the City’s support that he was delighted and  excited to have the bill move forward.

It is important to have  cities like Beverly Hills weigh in on new legislation because Beverly Hills is “a leading City in the state,”  he said. It is a City on the “forefront of issues.”