BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 689 89R4133 RDS-F By: Hughes State Affairs 3/5/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT All Texans deserve equal treatment and opportunity under the law. However, identity politics and divisive programs are still rampant within many Texas state government institutions. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Texas jeopardize equality and waste taxpayer dollars. S.B. 689 would prohibit governmental entities from establishing a DEI office. The bill would also prohibit the entity from hiring, assigning an employee, or contracting with a third party to operate a DEI office. Any person who has reasonable belief that an entity is in violation may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General. If the attorney general finds that the entity is in violation, they may issue a writ of mandamus to ensure compliance. As proposed, S.B. 689 amends current law relating to the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by certain governmental entities. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, by adding Chapter 621, as follows: CHAPTER 621. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES Sec. 621.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion office" and "governmental entity." Sec. 621.002. RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY REGARDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES. Requires a governmental entity to ensure that each unit of the entity does not, except as required by federal law, establish or maintain a diversity, equity, and inclusion office or hire or assign an employee of the entity or contract with a third party to perform the duties of a diversity, equity, and inclusion office. Sec. 621.003. COMPLAINT; ENFORCEMENT. (a) Authorizes a person who has a reasonable belief that a governmental entity is violating this chapter to file a complaint with the attorney general. (b) Authorizes the attorney general, if the attorney general determines that a governmental entity named in a complaint received under Subsection (a) is violating this chapter, to file a petition for a writ of mandamus to compel the governmental entity to comply with this chapter. (c) Requires that a mandamus action under Subsection (b) be filed in: (1) Travis County, if the governmental entity is an entity described by Section 621.001(2)(A)-(C) (relating to certain entities in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the state government); or (2) the county in which the governmental entity is located, if the governmental entity is an entity described by Section 621.001(2)(D) or (E) (relating to certain county and local government entities). SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 689
89R4133 RDS-F By: Hughes
State Affairs
3/5/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 689
89R4133 RDS-F
By: Hughes
State Affairs
3/5/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
All Texans deserve equal treatment and opportunity under the law. However, identity politics and divisive programs are still rampant within many Texas state government institutions. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Texas jeopardize equality and waste taxpayer dollars.
S.B. 689 would prohibit governmental entities from establishing a DEI office. The bill would also prohibit the entity from hiring, assigning an employee, or contracting with a third party to operate a DEI office.
Any person who has reasonable belief that an entity is in violation may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General. If the attorney general finds that the entity is in violation, they may issue a writ of mandamus to ensure compliance.
As proposed, S.B. 689 amends current law relating to the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by certain governmental entities.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, by adding Chapter 621, as follows:
CHAPTER 621. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND
INCLUSION INITIATIVES
Sec. 621.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion office" and "governmental entity."
Sec. 621.002. RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY REGARDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES. Requires a governmental entity to ensure that each unit of the entity does not, except as required by federal law, establish or maintain a diversity, equity, and inclusion office or hire or assign an employee of the entity or contract with a third party to perform the duties of a diversity, equity, and inclusion office.
Sec. 621.003. COMPLAINT; ENFORCEMENT. (a) Authorizes a person who has a reasonable belief that a governmental entity is violating this chapter to file a complaint with the attorney general.
(b) Authorizes the attorney general, if the attorney general determines that a governmental entity named in a complaint received under Subsection (a) is violating this chapter, to file a petition for a writ of mandamus to compel the governmental entity to comply with this chapter.
(c) Requires that a mandamus action under Subsection (b) be filed in:
(1) Travis County, if the governmental entity is an entity described by Section 621.001(2)(A)-(C) (relating to certain entities in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the state government); or
(2) the county in which the governmental entity is located, if the governmental entity is an entity described by Section 621.001(2)(D) or (E) (relating to certain county and local government entities).
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.