North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina H171: Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
Status: Vetoed, April 6, 2026
What the bill says
An act eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) initiatives in state and local government and clarifying the penalty provisions of the state budget act and local government budget and fiscal control act.
From the amended text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT ELIMINATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) INITIATIVES IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CLARIFYING THE PENALTY PROVISIONS OF THE STATE BUDGET ACT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL CONTROL ACT. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PART I. NO DEI IN STATE SECTION 1.1.(a) Article 5 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to no DEI. (a) No State agency shall promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including using DEI in State government hirings and employment; maintaining dedicated DEI staff positions or offices; or offering or requiring DEI training. (b) The following definitions apply in this section: (1) Differential treatment. - Any distinction, exclusion, or difference in policy, practice, or action that impairs equal access to opportunities or benefits, based on a protected characteristic. This definition does not apply to antidiscrimination measures, reasonable accommodations, legal requirements, or bona fide occupational qualifications. (2) Diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI. - A program, policy, initiative, or activity designed or implemented to: a. Influence hiring or employment practices with respect to race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, or sexual orientation other than through the use of merit-based hiring processes in accordance with any applicable State and federal antidiscrimination laws. b. …
Sponsors
- Jones, Brenden H. (R, 46) · primary sponsor
- Jackson, Neal (R, 78) · primary sponsor
- Lowery (R) · primary sponsor
- Eddins, Blair (R, 94) · primary sponsor
- Almond, Jonathan L. (R, 73)
- Jennifer Balkcom (R, HD-117)
- Biggs, Brian (R, 70)
- Blackwell, Hugh (R, 86)
- Branson, Jerry (R, 59)
- Brisson, William D. (R, 22)
- Cairns, Celeste C. (R, 13)
- Campbell, Grant L. (R, 83)
Latest actions
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Veto Received from House
- : Veto Overridden
- : Placed On Cal For 04/21/2026
- : Withdrawn From Cal
- : Placed On Cal For 04/06/2026
- : Withdrawn From Cal
- : Placed On Cal For 03/09/2026
- : Withdrawn From Cal
- : Placed On Cal For 02/09/2026
Votes
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Veto Override M4 Previous Question (June 24, 2026): 71 yea, 47 nay, passed
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Veto Override (June 24, 2026): 71 yea, 47 nay, passed
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion M11 Concur (June 26, 2025): 60 yea, 48 nay, passed
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. Second Reading (June 25, 2025): 26 yea, 20 nay, passed
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. Amendment 3 (June 25, 2025): 31 yea, 15 nay, passed
- Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. Amendment 1 (June 25, 2025): 46 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MINORITIES, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RATIFIED, DISCRIMINATION, FINES & PENALTIES, COURTS, COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Common questions
- What is H171?
- H171 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
- What does H171 do?
- In its own words: An act eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) initiatives in state and local government and clarifying the penalty provisions of the state budget act and local government budget and fiscal control act.
- What is the status of H171?
- Vetoed as of April 6, 2026. Latest action: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (June 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored H171?
- Jones, Brenden H. (R, 46), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H171?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H171
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.