NC House Bill To Ban DEI Agenda In State And Local Government

By David N. Bass
Carolina Journal

The North Carolina House Judiciary Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda in state and local government across the state.

House Bill 171 bars state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, or maintaining DEI programs, including in hiring, staffing, or training. Moreover, the measure prohibits state agencies, local governments, and non-state entities from using state funds for DEI initiatives, and from applying for federal funds that require DEI compliance.

The measure also directs the state auditor to conduct compliance audits, with violations resulting in possible removal from office or employment and a potential class 1 misdemeanor charge.

“House Bill 171 isn’t about politics,” said Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, the measure’s primary sponsor. “It’s about ensuring that every individual is judged by their ability, not by their race, not by their gender or ideology. For too long, DEI programs have replaced qualifications with quotas, achievement with identity, and excellence with activism. They do not expand opportunity. They create division that is not fairness. That is not the North Carolina way.”

“Let me be clear: this bill does not ban diversity,” Jones added. “This bill does not silence conversations on race or gender; this bill does not remove workplace protections against discrimination; what it does to stop taxpayer funding for divisive, discriminatory hiring practices. DEI has failed and has wasted taxpayer dollars, lowered standards and eroded the trust in our institutions. Now we have an opportunity to right the ship.”

Democrats on the committee questioned the need for the bill and claimed it could result in discrimination.

“I think this bill is very problematic in this implementation,” said Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford. “I feel like what this bill is going to do is going to have a very chilling effect on [racial justice efforts], because they would be perceived as being DEI.”

On the Senate side, Republicans are moving another anti-DEI bill aimed at removing DEI offices, staff, and divisive concepts from public schools.

David Bass is a senior contributor to the Carolina Journal.