File No. 98-0242

EXPRESSING SAN FRANCISCO'S OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FEDERAL, AND STATE AGREEMENTS THAT RESTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS' ABILITY TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON ORGANIZATIONS AND ENTITIES THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH SAN FRANCISCO'S HUMAN RIGHTS REQUIREMENTS.

    WHEREAS, San Francisco has established basic guidelines to ensure that equal rights and benefits be extended to everyone in San Francisco; and

    WHEREAS, San Francisco has established human rights guidelines that require all entities, private and public to adhere to these guidelines in order to operate in and do business within the City and County of San Francisco; and

    WHEREAS, the federal Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) would restrict San Francisco's regulation of foreign investment within the City and County of San Francisco; and

    WHEREAS, the MAI undermines state and local soveriegnty by restricting government's ability to regulate foreign investment and corporate accountability; and

    WHEREAS, the MAI could bar Congress, state legislatures, and city councils from using trade sanctions to punish nations such as Burma for human rights abuses, violations of labor standards, and persecution; now therefore, be it

    RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco hereby urge its state and federally elected officials and lobbyists to protect San Francisco's ability to regulate all entities to ensure compliance with Human Rights Commission requirements within the City and County of San Francisco; and be it

    FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco hereby urge the City's federal representatives and lobbyists to not support the MAI because it would eliminate San Francisco's right of regulation and local sovereignty.

SUPERVISOR AMMIANO