Louisiana lawmakers on Monday advanced a proposal that would ban Russian imports of natural resources to the state, condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, advanced unopposed from the House Commerce Committee and will head to the House floor for consideration.

The prohibition would include imports of oil, gas, iron, steel, precious metals and agricultural products, though the law would be a mostly symbolic gesture as the federal government has already restricted those imports.

The United States and its allies in Europe and Asia continue to impose unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Louisiana’s ban would terminate upon the lifting of the federal government’s sanctions.

— The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianans, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized.