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Tallahassee commission directs staff to review state 'DEI' law and return with legal options
Summary
After a city attorney overview of Senate Bill 1134 (described in the meeting as restricting diversity, equity and inclusion activities), the commission unanimously directed staff to inventory affected city programs and report back with legal analysis and possible options, including whether litigation is feasible.
The Tallahassee City Commission voted unanimously on May 13 to direct city staff to review local programs, ordinances and contracts for consistency with a recently enacted state law often described at the meeting as restricting "diversity, equity and inclusion" activities, and to report back with findings and potential legal options.
The city attorney summarized key elements of Senate Bill 1134, saying the law defines diversity, equity and inclusion in broad terms and generally prohibits public funding or promotion of DEI activities while carving out many exceptions — including actions necessary to comply with state and federal anti‑discrimination laws and observance of holidays, monuments and museums. The attorney told commissioners staff would need to assess city‑sponsored programs, trainings, contracts and communications that might implicate the statute.
"It is somewhat vague and very broad," the city attorney said in the briefing, noting the law permits civil suits and includes potential criminal penalties for misfeasance or malfeasance that could result in removal from office. The attorney recommended a comprehensive inventory and legal review before any policy changes.
Public commenter Stanley Sims told the commission the law "violates home rule" and cautioned that it would affect local cultural events and programs; commissioners and staff discussed coordination with groups such as the League of Cities and Association of Counties for consistent interpretations.
Commissioners debated timing and tactics. Some urged immediate review and staff direction; others suggested watching litigation already underway in other forums before taking compliance steps. Commissioner Williams Cox said the city should both comply with the law and pursue political remedies through voting, while other commissioners urged exploring legal action jointly with other local governments if staff finds conflicts with home‑rule authority.
The commission voted to direct staff to conduct a comprehensive review of city programs and policies to determine which may be affected, provide legal interpretations and return with findings and recommendations, including options for legal action if appropriate. The motion passed unanimously.
