LRB-2056/5
JTK:kmg:ch
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
November 7, 1995 - Introduced by Senators Burke and
Farrow, cosponsored by
Representatives Bock, Boyle and Huber. Referred to Committee on
Education and Financial Institutions.
SB407,1,3
1An Act to create 25.186 of the statutes;
relating to: compilation of information
2and affirmative action by the investment board concerning corporations doing
3business in Northern Ireland.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the state investment board to annually compile a list of
corporations that, directly or through a subsidiary, do business in Northern Ireland
and in whose stocks or obligations the board has invested. The board is then directed
to determine whether each corporation on the list has taken affirmative action to
eliminate religious or ethnic discrimination in Northern Ireland. In making that
determination, the board is directed to consider whether a corporation has, during
the year for which the report is prepared, taken substantial action designed toward
the achievement of 9 specific goals, including achieving balanced representation of
individuals from underrepresented religious groups at all levels of its workforce.
The bill also directs the investment board, whenever feasible, to sponsor,
cosponsor or support shareholder resolutions designed to encourage corporations in
whose stocks or obligations the board has invested to pursue a policy of affirmative
action in Northern Ireland, consistent with those goals.
No such requirements exist currently.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB407, s. 1
4Section
1. 25.186 of the statutes is created to read:
SB407,2,3
125.186 Investments in corporations doing business in Northern
2Ireland. (1) Compilation of information. No later than January 1 annually, the
3investment board shall do all of the following:
SB407,2,64
(a) Compile a list of corporations that, directly or through a subsidiary, do
5business in Northern Ireland and in whose stocks or obligations the board has
6invested.
SB407,2,97
(b) Determine whether each corporation identified under par. (a) has, during
8the year preceding that January 1, taken affirmative action to eliminate religious or
9ethnic discrimination in Northern Ireland.
SB407,2,13
10(2) Determination. In making the determination required by sub. (1) (b), the
11investment board shall consider whether a corporation has, during the period for
12which the report is prepared under sub. (1) (b), taken substantial action designed to
13lead toward the achievement of the following goals:
SB407,2,1514
(a) Achieving balanced representation of individuals from underrepresented
15religious groups at all levels in its workforce.
SB407,2,1716
(b) Assuring security for employes who are members of minority religious
17groups, both at the workplace and while traveling to and from work.
SB407,2,1918
(c) Creating a climate in the workplace free from sectarian or political
19provocation.
SB407,2,2120
(d) Publicly advertising all job openings and making special recruiting efforts
21to attract applicants from underrepresented religious groups.
SB407,2,2322
(e) Maintaining layoff, recall and termination procedures that do not favor
23workers who are members of particular religious groups.
SB407,3,3
1(f) Avoiding the use of job reservations, apprenticeship restrictions and
2differential employment criteria that discriminate on the basis of religious or ethnic
3origin.
SB407,3,54
(g) Implementing programs to prepare current unskilled employes who are
5members of minority religious groups for skilled jobs.
SB407,3,76
(h) Maintaining procedures to assess, identify and recruit employes who are
7members of minority religious groups and who have potential for advancement.
SB407,3,108
(i) Assigning senior management employes to oversee efforts of the corporation
9under pars. (a) to (h) and the setting of timetables for carrying out actions of the
10corporation under pars. (a) to (h).
SB407,3,14
11(3) Affirmative action. Whenever feasible, the board shall sponsor, cosponsor
12or support shareholder resolutions designed to encourage corporations in whose
13stocks or obligations the board has invested to pursue a policy of affirmative action
14in Northern Ireland consistent with the goals set forth under sub. (2).
