Bill seeking to financially penalize agencies requiring DEI programs advances

OKLAHOMA CITY – A Senate panel on Wednesday advanced a bill that would bar mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state agencies despite concerns it could have unintended consequences.

Senate Bill 1006 would give the Oklahoma Attorney General the power to investigate alleged infractions.

State funded agencies found to be in violation shall have state appropriations reduced by 1%. Unappropriated agencies would be required to increase deposits to the state’s General Revenue Fund by 1%.

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said the measure could bar programs that seek to attract women to aviation, help a person with a disability get a job or allow a popular campus Christian music festival.

She said she could see student groups being eliminated just to avoid a 1% fine.

“DEI actually takes us away from that concept of merit based and this is returning us back to that sanity of merit based,” said Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, the measure’s author.

DEI dictates that hiring and scholarships be given out based on disability, race or sex instead of merit, Bullard said.

All people are equal under the law, he said.

He said the measure is aimed at not forcing people to participate in DEI programs that are taxpayer funded.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, asked if the measure would preclude special treatment for someone who has athletic ability or talents.

“I think what we’re looking at here is something we’ve seen again and again, which is that each year, the majority party picks a new buzzword or concept to blame and causes chaos around rather than solving real problems for the state and for the nation,” Kirt said. “DEI is just the latest fabricated distraction to pit us against each other and take away from real issues.”

The bill comes after Gov. Kevin Stitt and President Donald Trump both issued executive orders banning it, Bullard said.

The bill passed by a vote of 6-2 and heads to the full Senate. Oklahoma Voice (oklahomavoice. com) is an affiliate of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, supported by grants and donations. Oklahoma Voice provides nonpartisan reporting, and retains full editorial independence.