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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education |
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from providing funding to a student organization that promotes |
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diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.991 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.991. PROHIBITION ON FUNDING STUDENT ORGANIZATION |
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THAT PROMOTES DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES. (a) |
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In this section: |
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(1) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative" |
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means an initiative based on providing differential treatment or |
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special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color, or |
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ethnicity. |
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(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(3) "Student organization" includes any organization |
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that is composed mostly of students enrolled at an institution of |
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higher education. |
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(b) An institution of higher education may not provide |
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funding to a student organization that: |
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(1) adopts a policy based on a diversity, equity, and |
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inclusion initiative; |
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(2) holds a program or event, including a third-party |
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event, based on a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative; |
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(3) has an office or officer dedicated to promoting |
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diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; or |
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(4) promotes a diversity, equity, and inclusion |
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initiative. |
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(c) A person aggrieved by a violation of this section may |
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file a complaint with the attorney general. |
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(d) The attorney general may file an action for injunctive |
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relief against an institution of higher education to compel the |
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institution to comply with this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 |
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academic year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |