More DEI related legislation ahead of filing deadline, what's the likelihood of bills becoming laws in Texas?
AUSTIN (KXAN)— More Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) related legislation is being filed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session ahead of the filing deadline on March 14.
The legislation supports the ban of these practices on various levels in Texas.
On Monday, Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, filed Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 1565. These bills seek to expand the ban of DEI from public universities and colleges to public schools K-12.
Creighton introduced Senate Bill 17, which banned DEI in public higher education institutions. SB 17 passed the Texas House in May 2023, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law during the Texas 88th Legislative Session in June 2023.
Earlier this month, Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, filed House Bill 2548, which seeks to stop public universities and colleges from requiring core classes that cover topics like systemic racism, social justice, gender identify and more.
The bills are separate, but related due to their similar language. SB 17 was more broad, and proposed legislation that follows the bill narrows in on more specific restrictions related to the DEI ban.
Non-partisan nonprofit Texas 2036 said it's not uncommon for similar legislation to be filed in consecutive sessions. The nonprofit added that legislation similar to bills that have become law, do hold more weight during session— with a better chance of becoming law through an extensive legislative process.
Critics of DEI and similar legislation worry about the progression and the impact.
Abbott ends DEI programs in state agencies
'This is not some attack out of nowhere,' Chas Moore with the Austin Justice Coalition said.
The Austin Justice Coalition held a press conference on Feb. 20, criticizing House Bill 2548 specifically.
'We feel that this basically, if you are anything outside of the status quo, we don't want our institutions of higher education to let you teach about it,' Moore said. 'And now we're going to penalize our institutions, our college institutions.'
Gov. Greg Abbott and other republicans said DEI gives preferential treatment and have vowed to making things more fair by doing away with it.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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