House Bill 2198, also known as the "DEI Compliance Certification Act," aims to enforce compliance with existing state laws that prohibit the adoption, implementation, or enforcement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within state departments, agencies, and public institutions of higher education. The bill mandates that these entities demonstrate compliance with specific sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated (4-1-427 and 8-30-109 for state departments and 49-7-192 and 49-7-193 for higher education institutions). Failure to comply may result in penalties, including termination, reorganization, loss of funding, and other enforcement measures available to the governor and the general assembly.

The bill outlines reporting requirements, which necessitate that state departments and public institutions submit annual reports detailing their efforts to eliminate DEI from their workplaces, along with a sworn certification of compliance. The attorney general is authorized to investigate allegations of non-compliance and must report findings annually to the governor and the general assembly. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes provisions for severability in case any part of the act is deemed invalid.