House Bill No. 4496 introduces a new chapter to the Local Government Code that prohibits municipalities in Texas from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill defines DEI initiatives as those that promote practices aimed at achieving proportional representation of identity classification groups or that otherwise endorse discriminatory treatment based on identity classifications, which include race, religion, sex, and other personal attributes. Under this legislation, municipalities are barred from spending public funds on DEI programs or hiring contractors to implement such initiatives, except when mandated by federal law.

Additionally, the bill restricts municipal governing bodies from adopting any ordinances or regulations that advocate for DEI initiatives or discriminate based on identity classifications. It also allows individuals who believe they have been discriminated against in violation of this chapter to seek legal action in district court. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()