Senate committee approves substitute to House Bill 127 that limits DEI programs in Georgia schools

Senate members on the Education and Youth Committee approved a committee substitute to House Bill 127 that would bar public K–12 and postsecondary institutions from promoting or maintaining programs described in the bill as “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives and would authorize withholding state or state‑administered federal funds for violations.

The substitute’s sponsor told the committee the measure is intended to keep operational decisions based on “merit, performance, and ability” rather than race, gender identity or sexual orientation and to prevent what he described as discriminatory practices in admissions, hiring and trainings. The provision includes definitions for local education agency and postsecondary institution and a carve‑out for interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. The bill also contains a penalty clause that allows proportionate withholding of state funds and a statement that nothing in the section prohibits compliance with applicable state or federal anti‑discrimination law.

Sponsor Senator Burns, presenting the substitute (LC 492351S), said, “Education in Georgia must now address a concept which…