States Dilute Anti-ESG Investing Efforts to Avoid Pension Losses

Republican lawmakers in Indiana and Kansas have approved measures preventing state pension funds from considering ESG factors, but both were narrowed from initial proposals amid concerns that the changes could cause losses to public retirement systems.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) on April 25 let become law without her signature a measure (H.B. 2100) preventing the use of environmental, social, and governance considerations in state contracts and investments. Indiana lawmakers sent to the governor a bill (H.B. 1008) on April 24 that restricts the use of pension service providers that have made ESG commitments, with some ...