The $43.5 billion Minnesota State Board of Investment, St. Paul, filed a proposal at Merck & Co., asking for a report on the economic impact and liability risks from the company's policy of limiting the availability of its products to Canadian wholesalers or pharmacies that allow purchase of its products by U.S. residents. The $527 million United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension Fund, Washington, filed a proposal at Abbott Laboratories, calling for performance-based options, and at Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., calling for a majority vote for the election of directors. Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility member institutions filed proposals on chairman and CEO separation at Eli Lilly, Merck, Abbott Labs, Pfizer Inc. and Wyeth.