Two anti-DEI bills in Georgia and Kentucky have sparked intense debate as Republican lawmakers push to eliminate DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives in public institutions. While Georgia’s proposal stalled, Kentucky’s House advanced its measure with overwhelming support from the Republican majority.
Georgia Senate Fails to Advance Anti-DEI Bill
In Georgia, Senate Bill 120 did not receive a vote by Crossover Day, effectively stalling the measure. The bill sought to cut state and federally administered funding for public schools and universities with DEI programs. It defined DEI as any “different treatment” or “special benefits” based on race, sex, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation and barred institutions from endorsing concepts such as systemic oppression, microaggressions, and intersectionality.
Republican State Sen. Marty Harbin, the bill’s lead sponsor, defended the proposal, stating, “SB 120 is a necessary step to restore academic excellence and fairness in our colleges by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not used to promote divisive diversity, equity and inclusion programs.” Despite failing to move forward, Harbin suggested the bill could resurface, saying, “This is a biennial; we’d rather do it right than do it halfway.”
Opposition to SB 120 was strong among Democratic lawmakers and civil rights organizations. Democratic State Sen. Nikki Merritt credited constituent activism for halting the bill, stating, “This is what happens when people stay engaged and involved and start calling and putting pressure that ‘We don’t want this legislation.’”
Civil rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, voiced concerns over the bill’s implications. Hamida Suad Labi, policy counsel for the organization, argued, “LDF is deeply concerned that this bill may lead to the targeting of Black students and educators through the elimination of racially inclusive instruction programs and services.”
Kentucky House Advances Anti-DEI Legislation
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, House Bill 4 passed in an 81-18 vote, largely along party lines. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker, mandates the removal of DEI offices and personnel from public universities by June 30 and imposes compliance audits every four years. It also defines “indoctrination” and prohibits universities from requiring students to complete courses aimed at instilling “discriminatory concepts.”
Democratic lawmakers fiercely opposed the bill, highlighting past racial discrimination on college campuses. Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington, warned against regressing on civil rights, urging lawmakers to “think long and hard about turning back the clock on what it is that we have in this state and this country.”
Despite protests from students and faculty at Kentucky’s public universities, the bill advanced swiftly. In a tense committee hearing, Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, called for state troopers to remove a woman who questioned lawmakers on the bill’s impact. House Democrats filed multiple amendments to modify the bill, but none were adopted.
HB 4 now moves to the Senate, where it must pass before the March 15 veto period begins. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who has expressed support for DEI programs, is expected to veto the bill, but the Republican supermajority could override his decision.
As DEI initiatives face mounting opposition at the state and federal levels, these bills signal an ongoing effort by Republican lawmakers to reshape policies in higher education.
