H171 - Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. (Ratified)

Overview: House Bill 171 would have done the following:

• Prohibit State agencies from promoting, supporting, implementing, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including using DEI in State government hirings and employment, maintaining dedicated DEI staff positions or offices, or offering or requiring DEI training.
• Prohibit a State agency or unit of local government from (i) using State funds or public monies to promote, fund, implement, or maintain DEI initiatives or programs and (ii) applying for, accepting, or utilizing federal funds, grants, or other assistance that require compliance with DEI policies, initiatives, or mandates. Existing programs funded in these ways would have been discontinued unless federal law required continued participation.
• Require the State Auditor to conduct periodic compliance audits to determine violations and report those violations to named entities.
• Amend the State Budget Act by requiring State agencies to attempt to recoup the misspent funds by all lawful means available, including filing a civil action. It would have also required the Governor to report the facts leading to the suspension of a State officer or employee of the Executive Branch to the Attorney General and the district attorney for the county in which all or a substantial part of the violation occurred.
• Require the Local Government Commission, after suspending a local officer or employee for refusing to comply with the Local Government Finance Act, to report the circumstances to the Attorney General and the district attorney for the county in which all or a substantial part of the noncompliance occurred.
• Provide consequences for violating the prohibition on using public monies for DEI purposes.

House Bill 171 was ratified by the General Assembly on June 30, 2025, and vetoed by the Governor on July 3, 2025.