TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the passage of House Bill 3 by Representative Bob Rommel in the Florida House of Representatives. House Bill 3 prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against consumers for their beliefs, barring the consideration of "ESG Credit Scores;” and permanently prohibiting SBA fund managers from considering ESG factors when investing the state's money.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "With the passage of this bill from the Florida House, there is no safe harbor for ESG in Florida. Our country is being inundated with far-left woke policies that are infiltrating every facet of our society and targeting certain businesses in Florida. As Florida’s CFO, we must focus on returns over activism and we will not allow ESG to have a home here in our state. Huge thanks to my friend, Representative Bob Rommel, for championing this legislation. It’s no secret that our nation is facing greater economic challenges and asset managers have compounded that by forcing ESG down businesses throats. With this bill, businesses can have the freedom to focus on returns, instead of divisions focused on being woke.”

Representative Bob Rommel said, “Thank you to CFO Jimmy Patronis for his leadership and support for HB 3 and standing by Floridians who are plagued by this woke policy making its way through our country’s financial system. House Bill 3 will prohibit discrimination and outlaw the use of ESG being considered when investing state funds and determining credit scores. This legislation shows the nation we won’t stop fighting to keep Florida free.”