Sudanese investments to be studied

Efforts to ensure Utah isn't investing in companies that contribute to genocide in Sudan will have to wait until next year.

The House voted Friday to send HB138, the Sudan Divestment Act, to interim study. The bill would require the Utah State Retirement Board to ensure it didn't invest in companies with certain business operations with the Khartoum government of Sudan, which is perpetuating conflict in the Darfur region.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, referred to the annual Day of Remembrance, which commemorates the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust.

"This is the one time I bring forward legislation that would put action to those words, 'Never forget."' Litvack said.