Subcommittee approves bill to remove dedicated DEI departments from state and local governments

Representative Jason Mayberry, sponsor: “This legislation simply says that a, 1 of these groups which have already stated governments, colleges, cannot have a department that's promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, with the aim as we're going towards merit based systems.”

The Departments & Agencies Subcommittee voted to advance House Bill 923 on a 6-2 vote after extended debate over what the bill would remove and how it would affect services and programs. The measure, as amended in subcommittee, prohibits a department, office, or similar entity at state or local levels that exists to promote or require diversity, equity or inclusion from maintaining that function; it also declares related mandates and policies void.

Supporters, led by Representative Jason Mayberry, framed the bill as a move toward “merit-based systems” and said the legislation would eliminate stand-alone departments whose primary job is to promote DEI. “This bill would say in county cities, that if you have a department that's promoted in DEI and that is your sole job, that department will no longer exist if this is passed by this legislative body,” Mayberry said. He said the intent was not to force personnel terminations and that many positions could be absorbed into other offices such as human resources.

Opponents argued the bill would dismantle existing programs and services and could remove supports that have historically helped expand access. Representative John Miller said a broad reading of the proposal could lead to job losses and the elimination of programs local governments and institutions currently administer. “This bill would say in county cities...that department will no longer exist,” Miller said, repeating his concern that employees could lose jobs even if that was not the sponsor's intention.

Representative K. Chisholm and others pressed the sponsor about the bill's interaction with federal civil-rights laws and accommodations, asking whether protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX would remain in force. Mayberry responded that the bill would not overturn federal law and that federal statutes such as the ADA remain applicable.

Chairman Powers, who presided, and other members also debated how the bill would affect local government and education programs. Several members urged additional study before the measure reached the floor; Mayberry said HB 622 (a companion bill referenced during debate) would address hiring practices and that the two bills were intended to be companion pieces.

The subcommittee adopted an amendment (6,418) that rewrote the bill’s text before the final vote. The motion to move the bill out of subcommittee carried on a roll call of 6 ayes and 2 noes.

The measure now moves to the full committee; the sponsor said he expects further debate there and described HB 923 as one of two bills (the other being HB 622) intended to change how DEI functions are organized and implemented across state and local government.