Act 57 of 2023 recently took affect which bans companies connected to the Russian and Belarussian governments from receiving state contracts, grants, or tax credits.
Under the law, companies the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department determines are owned, controlled, or acting on behalf of the Russian or Belarusian governments will be barred from receiving state contracts, grants, or tax credits.
Both chambers of the General Assembly unanimous advanced the bill, and Gov. Josh Shapiro signed it into law on Dec. 14.
Sen. Dave Argall (R- Schuylkill/Carbon) introduced the bill.
“After Vladamir Putin’s unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I immediately ended the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s investments in any Russian and Belarusian entities,” Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity said. “I strongly support Sen. Argall’s work to ensure that no state funds are given to any company connected to Russia or Belarus.”
Between Feb. 24, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2024, 10,378 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 19,632 have been injured, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, although the office believes the actual figure may be much higher.
Military casualties on both sides are estimated to total more than 500,000.