Senate committee approves bill limiting 'divisive' trainings for state employees

Little Rock — The Senate committee voted to advance Senate Bill 6 27 on a voice vote after heated questioning about whether the measure could curb equity programs. Sponsor Senator Garner said the bill is intended to stop trainings that "institutionalize" ideas that one race is inherently superior or that hold groups collectively culpable. "This does not stop from teaching diversity," Garner said, adding that the measure would still allow instruction on disparities and race.

Senator Tucker pressed the sponsor over language in subsection e and asked whether the bill might unintentionally erase programs designed to produce equitable results, such as affirmative action or contracting goals for minority- and women-owned businesses. "Would this bill negate that in any way?" Tucker asked. Garner responded that he did not believe existing procurement-set-aside laws would be affected and that any problematic subsection could be identified and fixed.

Supporters said the bill draws a line between legitimate diversity education and trainings they described as promoting collective blame. Opponents and some committee members raised concerns about uncertainty in application and potential conflicts with statutes that already require certain contracting or equity practices. The sponsor acknowledged those concerns but said the bill's intent is to prohibit instruction that asserts one group is inherently wrong or morally inferior.

The committee approved the measure on a motion to "do pass;" there was no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. The bill will move on to the next stage of consideration by the full Senate.