Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Requiring Statements From State Agencies Asserting DEI Compliance

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Last Thursday, the Senate passed a bill requiring state department heads to assert they are in compliance with state laws prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives or policies.

SB1713 by Sen. Jack Johnson states that all executive heads of each department, agency, or other unit of state government shall be required to submit an annual attestation to the state comptroller each year confirming they have not enacted any policies, rules, or initiatives that work to promote or enhance DEI efforts.

On the Senate floor, an amendment was adopted that expands the scope of the legislation to include local county, city, and metropolitan governments and higher education institutions. There were no questions or comments on the bill before the vote, and the bill passed 27-6 along party lines.

The House companion, HB1664 by Rep. Aron Maberry, has already passed out of subcommittee and is scheduled for the House State & Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 18. Contact information for this committee can be found below.

SB1713 appears similar to another piece of legislation currently making its way through the committee process which would require state agencies and departments to prove they are in compliance with DEI laws.

HB2198 by Rep. Jason Zachary is titled the “DEI Compliance Certification Act” and would require state agencies and departments to submit an annual report and sworn statement to the governor and general assembly detailing any steps taken to remove DEI measures and any complaints filed that were related to violations of those state laws.

Legislation Requiring Proof Of Compliance With Tennessee DEI Laws To Be Heard In House Subcommittee

This bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee on Tuesday, March 17, and the Senate companion, SB2208 will be heard in the Senate State & Local Government Committee the same day.

If you support either piece of legislation, use the information below to contact committee members before the meetings:

House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee– HB2198 to be heard March 17

HB2198 enacts the DEI Compliance Certification Act, requiring compliance with state DEI laws

Rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov; rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.michael.lankford@capitol.tn.gov; rep.greg.martin@capitol.tn.gov; rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov; rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov

Senate State & Local Government Committee– SB2208 to be heard March 17

SB2208 enacts the DEI Compliance Certification Act, requiring compliance with state DEI laws

Sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.tom.hatcher@capitol.tn.gov; sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov

House State & Local Government Committee– HB1664 to be heard March 18

HB1664 will require state departments and local governments to verify they are not pursuing DEI initiatives

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.

One Response

Dwayne says:

March 16, 2026 at 2:21 pm

Thanx, emailed committees, “Please vote YES!!

Hope it has teeth.

Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Requiring Statements From State Agencies Asserting DEI Compliance