Shofner Bill Bars Local Dues To Groups That Promote DEI

The text as introduced · 315 words

89R18085 TJB-D

By: Shofner
H.B. No. 5158

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of a political subdivision to spend

public money in support of certain professional associations that

promote or implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 140, Local Government Code, is amended

by adding Section 140.014 to read as follows:

Sec. 140.014. PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC MONEY IN

SUPPORT OF CERTAIN ASSOCIATIONS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative"

means an initiative that:

(A) is based on the belief that identity

classifications are central to understanding social, professional,

and political disparities;

(B) requires, encourages, or otherwise promotes

organizational practices such as employee hiring and promotion,

resource allocation, or policy formulation to achieve proportional

representation of identity classification groups or to eliminate

perceived systemic differences between them; or

(C) otherwise promotes discriminatory treatment

of a person on the basis of the person's identity classification.

(2) "Identity classification" means a classification

of a person based on the race, color, religion, national origin, or

ethnicity of the person.

(3) "Professional association" means a nonprofit

association or organization that engages in activities in support

of:

(A) similarly situated political subdivisions;

or

(B) a class of professionals.

(b) A political subdivision may not spend public money in

support of a professional association that promotes or implements a

diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, including by:

(1) paying a membership fee or due to the association;

or

(2) paying for an officer or employee of the political

subdivision to attend or participate in a conference or similar

event hosted by the association.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an

expenditure made by a political subdivision on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.