HB 4349
Shofner DEI Bill Stops At Race, Color And Ethnicity
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
The hole
THE TEXT
…“special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption targets diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives broadly, but the definition covers only race, color, or ethnicity. A student group built on special treatment by sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity falls outside the ban.
The holeInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing funding to a student organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Defined as race, color or ethnicity only. Groups built on sex or gender identity fall outside.
The bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from funding any student group that adopts a policy, holds an event, has an officer, or otherwise promotes a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. It defines such an initiative only as one giving different treatment or special benefits based on race, color, or ethnicity, and it covers any group made up mostly of students. A person who believes the rule was broken can complain to the attorney general, who may sue the school to force compliance, starting with the 2025-2026 school year.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 11, 2025 and referred to the House Higher Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4349 · 2025-03-11
SOLD BY
+ 4 coauthors
ITEM
relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing funding to a student organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
WHAT IT DOES
Defined as race, color or ethnicity only. Groups built on sex or gender identity fall outside.
The bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from funding any student group that adopts a policy, holds an event, has an officer, or otherwise promotes a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. It defines such an initiative only as one giving different treatment or special benefits based on race, color, or ethnicity, and it covers any group made up mostly of students. A person who believes the rule was broken can complain to the attorney general, who may sue the school to force compliance, starting with the 2025-2026 school year.
CHARGES
[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 45%
THE TEXT
…“special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption targets diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives broadly, but the definition covers only race, color, or ethnicity. A student group built on special treatment by sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity falls outside the ban.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Higher Education
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill cuts college funding to race-based DEI student groups, but its narrow definition leaves DEI programs built on other traits still eligible for money.
The bill ties a student group's funding to the programs and events it holds and the ideas it promotes, and lets the attorney general sue schools that keep paying such groups.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$20,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 11, 2025
04/01/2025 H Referred to Higher Education: Apr 1 2025 12:28PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Higher Education · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Education--Higher--Finance
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
Human Relations
Text
The text as introduced · 315 words
89R14696 KJE-D By: Shofner H.B. No. 4349 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing funding to a student organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.991 to read as follows: Sec. 51.991. PROHIBITION ON FUNDING STUDENT ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES. (a) In this section: (1) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative" means an initiative based on providing differential treatment or special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity. (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (3) "Student organization" includes any organization that is composed mostly of students enrolled at an institution of higher education. (b) An institution of higher education may not provide funding to a student organization that: (1) adopts a policy based on a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative; (2) holds a program or event, including a third-party event, based on a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative; (3) has an office or officer dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; or (4) promotes a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative. (c) A person aggrieved by a violation of this section may file a complaint with the attorney general. (d) The attorney general may file an action for injunctive relief against an institution of higher education to compel the institution to comply with this section. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.