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Committee adopts amendment and passes bill restricting DEI offices and policies in local government
Summary
A legislative committee adopted an amendment and passed legislation that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices, officers, policies and practices in cities and counties; a city representative testified in opposition citing First Amendment concerns and potential chilling effects.
Senator Dan Sullivan, a state senator from District 20, introduced the measure described as "an act to prohibit diversity, equity, inclusion, offices, officers, policies, and practices in local government," and the committee approved an amendment before passing the bill.
The amendment, which Senator Sullivan said clarifies that the restriction applies to counties and cities and includes language intended to protect funding, was adopted by voice vote. Senator Sullivan told the committee the amendment also ensures the bill "makes sure funding wasn't impacted." He asked for a favorable vote on the bill.
The bill drew public comment. Arissa Bennett, speaking for the city of North Little Rock, told the committee she and her city "do not agree with this" and that the measure, as drafted, would "violate our First Amendment rights" by chilling speech about DEI programs. Bennett said the bill’s enforcement provisions — which she said could include attorney-fee exposure — would deter cities from partnering with outside groups on community events and programs and could amount to censorship of programs that mention diversity or equity.
Senator Sullivan responded in closing that the bill’s penalty provision allows governments 30 days to cure an alleged violation after a report is made and thanked the committee for its consideration. The committee then voted to pass the bill by voice vote.
Discussion vs. decision: the record shows formal actions (an adopted amendment and final passage by voice vote) and separate public-comment opposition; the committee’s record does not include a roll-call tally.
What happens next: the committee passed the measure; the transcript does not specify the chamber-level next steps or effective dates.
