RALEIGH — After more than two hours of floor debate, a bill blocking state and local governments from using public funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and offices passed the House down partisan lines by a vote of 69-45. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 171 mainly deals with programs or policies that influence hiring and employment or promote differential treatment based on protected characteristics such as race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin or sexual orientation outside of merit-based processes or antidiscrimination laws.
The passed measure was from its original version to add certain exemptions and protections for the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs, Indian education services, tribal relationships and holiday celebrations. Under the definition of “schools,” K-12 public school districts are now included, along with the UNC System and N.C. Community College System.
The revised bill clarifies that the definition of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) does not apply to antidiscrimination measures, reasonable accommodations, legal requirements, bona fide occupational qualifications or traits protected by state or federal antidiscrimination laws.
Additionally, the enforcement provisions were changed to replace criminal misdemeanor charges with civil penalties of $5,000 for state employees and $10,000 for public fund violations, which are to be enforced by the state’s attorney general.
For civil action damages, school employees were explicitly included. The Local Government Commission, chaired by the state treasurer, was also added in language for local violations.
The bill’s main sponsor, House Majority Leader Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus), described the bill in detail and addressed what the bill doesn’t do.
Jones said the bill’s provisions dealing with hiring and promotion decision “must be based on qualifications, not race, not gender and not a viewpoint.”
“It puts an end to social engineering and HR and to taxpayer-funded gatekeeping based on belief or backgrounds,” said Jones. “It’s not radical; it’s fairness.”
Jones also addressed DEI training, saying that meant programs that “influence decisions based on identity or that promote preferential treatment between groups.”
“It does not include discussions on diversity culture or respectful culture,” Jones said. “And let me be clear right now: This bill does not ban Black History Month. It does not ban Pride Month.”
Jones added it does ban those or other celebrations, but “In fact, it explicitly protects them.”
“What it does stop are mandatory trainings that shame employees, divide teams and compel ideological conformity. We are not banning equal opportunity. In fact, we’re going to restore it. Public jobs should go to the most qualified, not the most politically favored.”
Jones also highlighted why the bill was filed now, saying “everyone has seen in the media; the tide is turning.”
“Just look: Walmart, Meta, McDonald’s, Ford, Lowe’s — major companies that once embraced DEI are walking them back,” said Jones. “Not because they’re extreme but because they saw the division, they saw the cost, they saw the lawsuits and the lack of results.”
Jones’ description of the bill was followed by another of the measure’s sponsors, Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus), whose remarks underscored the idea DEI broadens racial divides instead of closing them.
“Discriminatory programs by any name are an attempt to rob us of the wins previous generations gave us and hamstring the next generation with division and discrimination,” Echevarria said. “So, while the black community is low on the DEI benefit list, the list of its exclusions is not very long. It viciously excludes heterosexual white males, and no matter your sex or color, Christians of any depth of devotion need not apply nor share their convictions. North Carolina shouldn’t be a part of that now.”
Of the move away from DEI, Echevarria said, “Once again, the Republican Party will deliver our nation from the discriminatory work and policies that Democrats are responsible for.”
Multiple Democrats opposed the bill, saying DEI is necessary because racism and sexism still exist and some, like Reps. Laura Budd and Carolyn Logan of Mecklenburg County, claimed “white males” still holding authority positions is an ongoing problem.
Wake County Democrat Rep. Allison Dahle also opposed the bill while saying her “superpower is looking at situations with an open mind” before claiming ending DEI would result in “wasteful spending” on lawsuits to defend the bill should it become law.
North State Journal recently reported that Wake County’s DEI office will be costing taxpayers more than $1.17 million dollars in 2025.
