MO HB2357

Requires asset managers investing in international equities for public retirement plans to attest semiannually that they do not hold stock in foreign companies with active business ties to countries designated by the U.S. Department of State as state sponsors of terrorism, except for humanitarian purposes.

Defines "business ties" as owning property, having employees or facilities, providing goods or services, having distribution agreements, issuing credit or loans, purchasing bonds, or having equity investments in designated countries or companies domiciled there.

Establishes that an "independent research provider" must be a private U.S. company specializing in global security risk assessment with at least two years of credible research on corporate ties to state sponsors of terrorism and no conflicts of interest from investment banking activities.

Exempts public retirement plans and their boards from any conflicting statutory obligations regarding choice of asset managers, investment funds, or securities portfolios when complying with this section's prohibitions.

Provisions expire for each individual country when the President of the United States affirmatively states through legislation, executive order, or written certification that the Department of State no longer designates that country as a state sponsor of terrorism.