SB1341 is a bill that aims to prevent the use of forced and oppressive child labor in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) procured by governmental entities in Arizona. The bill requires manufacturers to provide a sworn certification that no entity involved in the manufacturing or assembly of EVs or their components, including the mining or sourcing of materials, has knowingly used forced labor or oppressive child labor. Additionally, manufacturers must consent to personal jurisdiction in Arizona.
The bill imposes civil penalties for providing false or misleading information in the sworn certification, with penalties being the greater of $10,000 per false statement or one-half of the total price paid by the governmental entity for the EVs or components. Employees of the manufacturer who knowingly violate the certification requirement are also subject to similar penalties. The bill defines terms such as "electric vehicle," "forced labor," "governmental entity," "oppressive child labor," and "protected characteristic." It also includes legislative findings related to the use of forced labor in the production of EV components, particularly highlighting concerns about materials mined by Uyghur Muslims in China and cobalt ore mined by children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The bill applies to all EV procurement contracts entered into, amended, or renewed after its effective date.
Statutes affected: Introduced Version: 1-802
Senate Engrossed Version: 1-802