Missouri Says Challenge to ESG Consent Rules Should Be Tossed

Missouri officials are urging a federal judge to toss a leading finance industry trade group’s challenge to state environmental, social and governance investing restrictions it says are burdensome.

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association fails to offer a valid claim in contesting the state’s ESG rules for investment firms, lawyers for Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) and state Securities Commissioner Douglas Jacoby said in a court filing Monday. Ashcroft released regulations in June that direct brokers and investment advisers operating within the state to get their clients’ written consent to include ...