[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6306663,"mediaKeyId","2436875-0a56d684be4602e3e5596003fbe3ebc9","parentId",2436875,"title","Hours of public testimony as Senate committee holds hearing on bill restricting DEI programs in Georgia schools","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2153000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436875-0a56d684be4602e3e5596003fbe3ebc9&start=2153&end=2153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436875-0a56d684be4602e3e5596003fbe3ebc9/thumbnail_2153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306663/Georgia/Hours-of-public-testimony-as-Senate-committee-holds-hearing-on-bill-restricting-DEI-programs-in-Georgia-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306663-ef9fdd729f7e9ce428687f42da017ffc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740719&Signature=MlTGg8wAazZIMiVnSG65Xs3dk7yeI4wcAZElqAMSgfks4Xts3nOTOFh5sDSyWHO94Q-xlys27E6Mo7AuI4e0cyrt7ReW65ZJdXfp8EGXLRRIB6u9tqywOdQQMURvshJ8fEF~OCunIshf9AGZTjeQD4AzbaOXzPo9dsBGiLwEfxNy88Eb63EwJjIto7pZ22EEnFITxV5d37nc2TitCEvvoNxkQgwBgbaeZQK7vw-DfO0dYcPVgDW3gXRWotLnSjZvtGLIxLfIDyTJZ-LEf2XnuUht-lkL~gQi35-Cr7QgYtA5~SP4BaZYQdSInyf72UHWCUjgloYvoAVJugJ2ddN7Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Georgia Senate Higher Education Committee held an extended hearing on Senate Bill 120, a proposal to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public K–12 schools and higher education. The bill's author said the measure would remove what he described as ideology enforcement and return institutions to merit-based standards; teachers, students, civil-rights groups and higher‑education associations urged the committee to reject the bill or to narrow its scope.

Sponsor Senator Michael Harbin told the committee he brought the bill after hearing constituents’ concerns that DEI programs have “become tools of ideology enforcement” and that some students discouraged from speaking out fear “retribution.” He said the bill as drafted applies to University System of Georgia institutions, the Technical College System of Georgia and private postsecondary institutions that receive state funding, and he described the proposal as mirroring federal guidance under review.

More than two dozen individuals affiliated with advocacy groups, university and K‑12 educators, students and civil-rights organizations spoke in opposition during the public‑comment portion. The ACLU of Georgia’s policy and advocacy director warned the committee that broad restrictions on classroom instruction and campus programs could violate the First Amendment and described recent litigation in other states where similar measures were blocked. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund argued SB 120’s “vague prohibitions” and lack of procedural guardrails could exacerbate racial inequality and strip funding for programs that help students access and succeed in education.

Student speakers and campus-affiliated witnesses described personal and safety implications. An Emory student, Daniel Bomberger, said his Jewish student organization and related programs provided community supports and warned that similar laws in other states led to removal of curricular material, elimination of student cultural organizations and loss of staff positions. Multiple student speakers, including high‑school and university students, said DEI programs and related campus groups helped first‑generation students, veterans, students with disabilities and LGBTQ students find support and persist in college.

Representatives from Georgia Educators for Equity and Justice, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, the League of Women Voters of Georgia and education associations told the committee SB 120 would reverse progress on teacher pipelines and workforce development. The Professional Association of Georgia Educators said conversations with the bill’s sponsor were constructive and urged continued refinement to avoid undermining recruitment programs that partner with HBCUs.

Committee members asked the sponsor about constitutional and implementation risks. Senator Hufsteler raised concerns about applying the bill to private colleges and potential First Amendment conflicts. Senator Payne asked where DEI would be defined in the bill; the sponsor pointed to line 23 and said the bill lists activities it would restrict. Several members asked staff whether federal guidance and funding implications had been considered; witnesses warned that broad restrictions could jeopardize federal grants and prompt legal challenges.

No final committee action was taken; the hearing produced extensive testimony and an offer from the sponsor to continue refining language. Chairman Burns said the committee scheduled a follow‑up higher education meeting and encouraged written testimony from those who did not speak.

Ending

Senate Bill 120 remained under committee consideration after the hearing; supporters framed the measure as protecting merit-based standards, while opponents said its breadth and vagueness threaten students, workforce pipelines and could trigger litigation or loss of federal funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/27/2025 Senate Committee on Higher Education","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 120, a wide-ranging proposal to limit diversity, equity and inclusion programs in K–12 and higher education, drew extensive public comment at a hearing. Supporters framed the bill as restoring meritocracy; opponents warned it would harm students, prompt legal challenges and jeopardize federal funding.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6306668,"Senate committee approves bill tightening foreign funding disclosures for Georgia higher education",983,1335000,2318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436875-0a56d684be4602e3e5596003fbe3ebc9&start=1335&end=2318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436875-0a56d684be4602e3e5596003fbe3ebc9/thumbnail_1335000.jpg","/articles/6306668/Georgia/Senate-committee-approves-bill-tightening-foreign-funding-disclosures-for-Georgia-higher-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306668-779e77f02686f56a0370804b49737d8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775740719&Signature=XB3cXvoG2A5ZJdPvSsbqp-OOvPPAnFHgKyh0Wg9bJC2RYGAnoyzWIi7oDzNObEgRCIeYr-v4wYgk5BlfpQuBSpgj3XCKkQtq~vcb4aN-6tcSGyUR3A93i8DSIscF1TfNo~hWa8Uts2Fjp4RD~1V2FDfKdTjNGwiLldLAb5QMRR14d48TC9Ekpy3~Y9L6sX6lIqVL6IBthRXmcaEl99vbLjN37Tqegb1UzOeeVm41w3jPjYhHHt9Toa-1GRjxyuZqsgEN5X~CtM7wOkQaTAUGPLNVx-MvKSl1lpFIRYvEwcNOcYGkfv8-~~QTnx06esvNlqtC9Hszr7kGQpPddU16dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia Senate Higher Education Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 181 on a voice/hand vote after a short presentation from the bill's sponsor.

Sponsor Senator Joshua Anavataarte told the committee the bill aims to address “undue foreign influences” on U.S. campuses and strengthen reporting by state institutions of gifts and contracts from foreign sources. He said public institutions have disclosed receiving more than $8,000,000 in gifts from China and over $40,000,000 in contracts from China, plus $1,000,000 from Lebanon and more than $250,000 from Turkey, and argued existing federal reporting under the Higher Education Act of 1965 has proved insufficient. “I can only imagine the true total amount of funding the Georgia institutions may have received from foreign adversaries and countries of concern,” Anavataarte said.

The senator cited a recent House Committee on Oversight letter and Department of Education data that he said show foreign nations gave more than $57,000,000,000 to U.S. institutions since 1981. He told the committee that many gifts and contracts lack transaction descriptions or named foreign owners, which he said makes it difficult to determine whether funding may influence public institutions.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about which countries the bill would cover and whether Georgia should maintain its own list of restricted countries or defer to federal designations. Chair Burns and other members noted the bill as drafted references the federal designation of foreign adversaries and urged caution about creating a separate state list that might raise enforcement or foreign‑relations issues. Senator Moore asked whether Lebanon and Turkey still have active contracts with Georgia institutions; Anavataarte said his research suggested those relationships may not be current but that the bill's intent is to ensure transparency going forward.

No members of the public who signed up addressed the committee about SB 181 during the allotted public-comment window. Senator Williams moved the committee to “do pass,” Senator Hickman seconded, and the motion carried by unanimous uplifted hands.

The committee record shows the measure passed out of committee; the bill will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.

Ending

Senate Bill 181 passed the Higher Education Committee without opposition at the hearing. The sponsor said the measure would rely on federal definitions of foreign adversaries; committee members asked staff to monitor enforceability and the referenced federal lists as the bill moves forward.","The Georgia Senate Higher Education Committee voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 181, which the sponsor said would require stronger reporting on foreign gifts and contracts to public colleges and universities amid concerns about influence from certain countries.","actionData","errors"]

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Hours of public testimony as Senate committee holds hearing on bill restricting DEI programs in Georgia schools

Senate committee approves bill tightening foreign funding disclosures for Georgia higher education