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Montana committee advances bill banning race-conscious decisions at public universities
Summary
The House Education Committee advanced House Bill 663 after a divided hearing and amendment; sponsor said it codifies federal guidance banning demographic factors in admissions, while student leaders and constitutional skeptics warned it could stifle campus diversity and invite lawsuits.
Rep. Carrie Seakins Crowe introduced House Bill 663 as a measure to bar public universities from considering race, ethnicity, national origin or gender in hiring, admissions, scholarships and financial aid, saying the change would ensure applicants are judged on merit and give institutions until Oct. 1, 2026, to comply.
The bill prompted immediate opposition from student representatives. Hope Morrison, who testified for the Associated Students at the University of Montana, said HB 663 “increases government overreach” and could burden…
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