Local DEI ban in doubt as bill not heard in Senate committee stop

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A bill addressing local diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) rules has been temporarily postponed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The sponsor, Jacksonville Sen. Clay Yarborough, chairs that committee. And he isn’t sure if the bill (SB 420) has a way to get to the Senate floor, given that it was the final meeting of that panel.

“Senate Judiciary had its final meeting yesterday. I’m unsure whether it has a path this Session, but anything is still possible before Sine Die,” he said.

If it does advance, Yarborough said it won’t be in its current form.

“I appreciate all of the individuals who have offered input. If it continues to move forward, I anticipate amendments that will put it in a better posture,” he said, noting that one amendment that was to be heard in committee before the postponement would have allowed for “recognition of observances, etc. if the same are recognized by federal and state governments.”

As written, the bill would block local governments from passing DEI initiatives and make ones already in law illegal. It would also create a cause of action for citizens to file civil suits against local governments in the event they feel discriminated against by DEI laws. It also holds that legislators who vote for DEI legislation are guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance.

Judiciary was not the final committee stop for the bill.

The House companion is sponsored by Rep. Dean Black, but his bid to destroy DEI has yet to be heard in its first of three committee stops, also suggesting it has no path there this Session.