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Senate working-group recommendation on DEI policies sent to print after committee debate
Summary
Senate State Affairs sent RS 32103, a working-group recommendation limiting DEI practices at public higher-education institutions, to print after the sponsor described the measure and a senator raised concerns about its effect on campus bias reporting and investigations.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to send RS 32103 to print after a sponsor presentation and a short debate over its implications for campus speech and bias reporting systems.
Senator Toews presented RS 32103 as the product of a four-meeting working group that recommended protecting "freedom of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge" by limiting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices, DEI-based hiring and admissions policies, DEI-related incentives, diversity training, and bias reporting systems at Idaho's institutions of higher education. "Students also may not be forced to enroll in courses designed and implemented with DEI principles unless their chosen course of study is based on those concepts," Toews said.
Senator Berndt asked whether the working group reached consensus; Toews said it was roughly "6 to 1." Senator Ruppy expressed concern about one provision's breadth, warning that a prohibition on "bias reporting systems" could prevent campuses from investigating serious incidents. Ruppy said the proposal might "prevent an investigation of hate speech" on campus and called for a more thorough discussion at hearing.
A motion by Senator Anson, seconded by Senator Harris, to send RS 32103 to print passed on a voice vote. The committee did not adopt final policy; the print referral allows formal hearing and public testimony on the proposed language.
