Senate committee hears hours of testimony on bill to bar taxpayer-funded programs it labels "prohibited discriminatory practices"

Senate Bill 2,392, which would bar use of North Dakota taxpayer funds for certain programs and trainings the text describes as "prohibited discriminatory practices," drew hours of testimony before the Senate Education Committee.

Sponsor Senator Mike Wawba, sponsor for District 24, told the committee the bill aims to “remove from taxpayer funding those programs and processes which advocate for discriminatory practices,” and said the measure is intended to curb mandatory identity-based requirements while not preventing study or discussion of history or social issues. “The goal … is to remove mandatory requirements,” Wawba said during his opening remarks.

The bill would apply in three broad areas listed in the text: higher education, K–12 schools and state governmental offices. Opponents — led by administrators and student leaders from the North Dakota University System and public universities — said the language as written could reach routine campus offices, scholarship programs and course materials, and that it lacks specificity about scope and exemptions.

Lisa Johnson, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the North Dakota University System, testified in opposition and told the committee the bill “would impinge on the…