Last month Pleaides Strategy published a report titled “2023 STATEHOUSE REPORT: Right-Wing Attacks on the Freedom to Invest Responsibly Falter in Legislatures.” This report is based on a massive research effort which tracked 165 anti-ESG bills introduced by Republican lawmakers in 37 states. Obviously, some of these were introduced in purple and even Blue states so didn’t get very far. The report has received wide press coverage including E&E News, The Guardian, Reuters, and S&P Global.

Frances Sawyer, Founder of Pleiades Strategy | FRANCES SAWYER

Fortunately for the state-level anti-ESG movement some progress was made in 23 states. Unfortunately for this movement, progress was very uneven. The report has some summary statistics but Frances Sawyer, the founder of Pleaides Strategy, kindly provided me with an update. They are tracking this live. Here is a quick summary of the results as of July 27, 2023 (with my comments in italics). You can find all the delicious details in this spreadsheet.

•  At least 165 distinct bills (including 9 resolutions) were introduced in 37 states. (an average of 4.5 per state 😍)
• 84 bills are dead, across 23 states: (A disturbing 50 percent mortality rate 💀.)
• In 18 states where legislation was introduced, no laws passed. 10 of these states are controlled by Republicans. (Looks like there was some infighting between the MAGA ones and the sensible ones.)
• 3 bills were vetoed by the governor in Arizona. (Kari Lake wouldn’t have done this 😉. )
• 42 bills that did not pass will carry over into the 2024 legislative session. (Hope springs eternal 😄.)
• 22 bills and 6 resolutions were approved by state governments: (28/165=17 percent)
• 11 active bills are pending. Five have not had committee hearings.” (Thinking positive here, 40/165=24 percent)

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