Senate committee advances SB 3 restricting race- and ethnicity-based preferences; public commenters urge rejection

The Senate Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs advanced Senate Bill 3 after extended questioning of sponsor Senator Sullivan and more than two hours of public testimony, much of it in opposition.

Senator Sullivan, the bill's sponsor, told the committee SB 3 is intended to prohibit government entities from discriminating for or against people on the basis of race, color, ethnicity or national origin in the areas of education, employment and procurement. "This legislation applies only to government agencies in areas of education, employment, and procurement," Sullivan said, adding that the measure does not affect veterans: "The General Assembly does not intend for this act to affect any preferences provided to veterans under the law based on their status as a veteran." He also told the panel he had discussed the draft with the attorney general and that the office was prepared to defend the bill in court.

Sponsor's description and contested provisions

Sullivan said the bill replaces broad, generic references to "civil rights" with the more specific language "desegregation and nondiscrimination," and removes statutory references to programs that explicitly use the term "minority," substituting language tied to "critical needs" or "need-based" criteria. He argued these changes reflect recent federal executive actions and a focus on need rather than race-based preferences. "The…