Sen. Ernie Chambers introduced a bill Wednesday under which the state would divest public funds from companies that provide “significant practical support for the genocide occurring in Sudan.”

The legislation (LB468) is similar to laws passed in California and other states. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation in September to end state investments in Sudan in an effort to pressure that nation to stop the genocidal violence.

Ethnic violence has killed at least 200,000 people and turned 2.5 million people into refugees in the region since 2003.