The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Rules
BILL: SM 1382
INTRODUCER: Senator Collins
SUBJECT: United States Department of Defense
DATE: March 29, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brown Proctor MS Favorable
2. Brown Twogood RC Favorable
I. Summary:
SM 1382 provides a memorial to urge the Congress of the United States to use authorization and
appropriation authorities to prohibit “woke” social engineering and experimentation practices
and mandate a return to a merit-based system for military force and development.
The memorial requires the Secretary of State to dispatch copies to the President of the United
States, President of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, and each member of the Florida delegation to the United States Congress.
A memorial is an official legislative document addressed to the United States Congress, the
President of the United States, or some other governmental entity that expresses the will of the
Legislature on a matter within the jurisdiction of the recipient. A memorial requires passage by
both legislative houses but does not require the Governor’s approval nor is it subject to a veto.
II. Present Situation:
United States Presidential Directives on Diversity and Inclusion
On January 20, 2021, the President of the United States through executive order
1
removed earlier
presidential restrictions on diversity and inclusion-related training for uniformed personnel.
2
On
June 25, 2021, the President issued an executive order requiring agency heads in establishing
diversity and inclusion training to:
1
The Federal Register, Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government (Jan. 20, 2021), available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-
01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government (last visited Mar.
16, 2023).
2
Congressional Research Service, Diversity and Inclusion Training for Military Personnel (July 19, 2021), available at
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11703 (last visited Mar. 16, 2023).
REVISED: BILL: SM 1382 Page 2
enable Federal employees, managers, and leaders to have knowledge of systemic and
institutional racism and bias against underserved communities … promote inclusive
workplaces … and have increased understanding of implicit and unconscious bias.
3
Since 2011, openly gay and bisexual men and women have been allowed to serve in the
military.
4
In 2021, the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military was lifted through
executive order.
5
Military Promotion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Office for Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion, United States Department of Defense oversees and implements diversity
management and equal opportunity trainings and programs for:
Active duty military personnel;
Reserve component military personnel; and
DoD civilian employees.
6
On July 14, 2020, then Secretary of Defense directed the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness by October 1, 2020, to incorporate in professional military education
instruction the impact of biases and prejudices on decision-making.
7
On September 14, 2021, the secretary of the DoD created the Defense Advisory Committee on
Diversity and Inclusion.
8
The committee’s purpose is to provide advice and make
recommendations on improving racial and ethnic diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
9
The operation center at the DoD’s Defense Information Systems Agency initiated a pilot project
on hiring practices.
10
To reduce unconscious bias, names were removed off of applications
submitted for vacancies.
11
3
The Federal Register, Executive Order 14035 on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workplace
(June 25, 2021), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-
diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/ (last visited Mar. 16, 2023).
4
Dep’t of Defense, Military One Source, LGBTQ in the Military: A Brief History, Current Policies and Safety, available at
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/relationships/support-community/lgbtq-in-the-military/ (last visited Mar. 15, 2023).
5
The Federal Register, Executive Order 14004 on Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform (Jan.
25, 2021), available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/28/2021-02034/enabling-all-qualified-americans-
to-serve-their-country-in-uniform (last visited Mar. 16, 2023).
6
Dep’t of Defense, Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, available at
https://diversity.defense.gov/ (last visited Mar. 16, 2023).
7
Congressional Research Service, supra note 6.
8
Dep’t of Defense, DoD Announces New Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (Sept. 23, 2022), available
at https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3169272/dod-announces-new-defense-advisory-committee-on-
diversity-and-inclusion/ (last visited Mar. 14, 2023).
9
Id.
10
David Vergun, Dep’t of Defense News, Officials Discuss Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benefits to DoD (Feb. 2, 2022),
available at https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2920971/officials-discuss-diversity-equity-and-
inclusion-benefits-to-dod/ (last visited Mar. 14, 2023).
11
Id. BILL: SM 1382 Page 3
In addition to the DoD, branches of the military have initiated diversity programs and projects. In
2020, the Army created Project Inclusion, to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the
force.
12
Initial measures include omitting official photos from recommendations for applicants to
officer selection boards and examining possible racial disparity within the military system of
justice.
13
The Army through its Recruiting Command established the Diversity Outreach
Inclusion Team, to increase representation of minorities and women among military personnel.
14
In furtherance, the team educates diverse communities on access to college through military
scholarship offerings and tuition assistance.
15
On May 3, 2021, the Department of the Navy released immediate measures to promote diversity,
equity, and inclusion in policies, programs, and operations.
16
Measures include a review of:
Contracting practices to identify improvements to promote supplier diversity;
Policies and conventions for naming ships, bases, and other assets by Navy and Marine
Corps leadership, to recommend improved diverse representation;
Guidelines for selection and assignment boards to remove potential barriers to diversity; and
Diversity within the Senior Executive Service, and the process of recruitment, selection, and
development of Senior Executives to improve the pace of diversity and strength of the
applicant pool, while remaining cognizant of merit system principles.
17
On August 9, 2022, the Air Force released updated demographic targets among commissioned
officers.
18
The Air Force aspires future officer applicants to be:
67.5 percent White (down from the 2014 goal of 80 percent);
13 percent Black/African American (up from 10 percent);
10 percent Asian (up from 8 percent);
7 percent multiracial (no previous goal set);
1.5 percent American Indian/Native Alaskan (up from 1 percent); and
1 percent Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (no change).
19
12
U.S. Army Public Affairs, Army unveils new initiative to promote diversity, inclusion across the force (June 25, 2020),
available at
https://www.army.mil/article/236766/army_unveils_new_initiative_to_promote_diversity_inclusion_across_the_force (last
visited Mar. 14, 2023).
13
Id.
14
Joe Lacdan, Army News Service, USAREC outlines measures to increase inclusivity in recruiting (Mar. 14, 2022),
available at https://www.army.mil/article/254672/usarec_outlines_measures_to_increase_inclusivity_in_recruiting (last
visited Mar. 14, 2023).
15
Id.
16
The Secretary of the Navy, Memorandum for Assistant Secretaries of the Navy Chief of Naval Operations Commandant of
the Marine Corps, Department of the Navy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning Actions (May 3, 2021), available at
https://media.defense.gov/2021/May/17/2002645340/-1/-
1/0/DON%20DIVESITY%20EQUITY%20AND%20INCLUSION%20PLANNING%20ACTIONS.PDF/DON%20DIVESIT
Y%20EQUITY%20AND%20INCLUSION%20PLANNING%20ACTIONS.PDF (last visited Mar. 15, 2023).
17
Id.
18
Air Force Times, Air Force Leaders Set New Goals, available at https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-
force/2022/08/30/air-force-leaders-set-new-goals-to-diversify-officer-
corps/#:~:text=As%20of%20June%2C%20just%2023,the%20Air%20Force%20Personnel%20Center (last visited Mar. 15,
2023).
19
Id. BILL: SM 1382 Page 4
The Air Force also aims for Hispanic or Latino members to comprise 15 percent of its officer
applicants, up from 10 percent in 2014.
20
To increase the number of women in its pool of commissioned officers, the Air Force aims for a
composition of 64 percent men and 36 percent women. This builds upon the 2014 goal of 70
percent men to 30 percent women.
21
Memorial
A memorial is an official legislative document addressed to the United States Congress, the
President of the United States, or some other governmental entity that expresses the will of the
Legislature on a matter within the jurisdiction of the recipient. A memorial requires passage by
both legislative houses but does not require the Governor’s approval nor is it subject to a veto.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SM 1382 provides a memorial to urge the Congress of the United States to use its authorization
and appropriation authorities to prohibit the use of “woke” social engineering and
experimentation practices, which erode military effectiveness, and mandate a return to a merit-
based system for military force development and composition.
The memorial requires the Secretary of State to dispatch copies to the President of the United
States, President of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, and each member of the Florida delegation to the United States Congress.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
20
Id.
21
Id. BILL: SM 1382 Page 5
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
None.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.