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State f/J&YWSsee
PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 458
SENATE BILL NO. 1084
By Johnson, Hensley, Rose, Stevens, Watson, Bowling, Bailey, Crowe, Gardenhire, Taylor
Substituted for: House Bill No. 923
By Maberry; Mr. Speaker Sexton; Lamberth, Powers, Capley, Reedy, McCalmon, Todd, Davis,
Reeves
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49,
Chapter 7, relative to the "Dismantling DEi Departments Act."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Dismantling DEi Departments Act."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 4, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a)(1) A department, agency, or other unit of state government shall not use a
discriminatory preference in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or
establish or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes. All
mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions,
consent orders, or other declarations of a department, agency, or other unit of state
government, or an office, division, or department thereof, in existence prior to the
effective date that are in conflict with this section of this act are void.
(2) As used in this subsection (a), "discriminatory preference":
(A) Means a policy, practice, or requirement that grants or withholds
benefits, opportunities, advantages, or disadvantages to an individual or group
based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any other demographic characteristic,
rather than on individual merit, qualifications, veteran status, or lawful eligibility
criteria; and
(8) Does not include:
(i) Public health, medical research, or disease prevention
programs that use demographic-based outreach for medically
substantiated reasons, such as initiatives addressing health conditions
that disproportionately affect specific populations; or
(ii) Lawful and neutral outreach programs that ensure equal
access to state services or contracting based on objective eligibility
criteria, so long as such programs do not mandate quotas, alter
selection criteria, or require preferential treatment based on
demographic characteristics.
(b)(1) This section does not apply to a department, agency, or other unit of state
government that submits notice in writing to the comptroller of the treasury that
compliance with this section would result in a loss of federal funding, to the extent
such an exemption is necessary to conform to federally awarded or amended
contracts, subcontracts, or postsecondary grants as a condition to receipt of federal
funds. The comptroller of the treasury shall create guidelines as to what information is
required in the notice. The comptroller shall review a notice submitted by a
department, agency, or other unit of state government and, if the comptroller finds
that compliance would result in the loss of federal funding, then the comptroller shall
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notify the department, agency, or other unit of state government in writing of its
exemption.
(2) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller
exempts a department, agency, or other unit of state government from this section,
the department, agency, or other unit of state government shall submit in writing to
the comptroller to have the exemption renewed for an additional one-year period. A
department, agency, or other unit of state government shall notify the comptroller
within fourteen (14) days if the conditions or justifications for the comptroller granting
the exemption no longer exist.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a)(1) A county government shall not use a discriminatory preference in an effort to
increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or establish or maintain an office, division, or
department for such purposes. All mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance,
regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, or other declarations of a county
government, or an office, division, or department thereof, in existence prior to the
effective date that are in conflict with this section of this act are void.
(2) As used in this subsection (a), "discriminatory preference" means a policy,
practice, or requirement that grants or withholds benefits, opportunities, advantages,
or disadvantages to an individual or group based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any
other demographic characteristic, rather than on individual merit, qualifications, or
lawful eligibility criteria.
(b)(1) This section does not apply to a county government that submits notice in
writing to the comptroller of the treasury that compliance with this section would result
in a loss of federal funding, to the extent such an exemption is necessary to conform
to federally awarded or amended contracts, subcontracts, or postsecondary grants as
a condition to receipt of federal funds. The comptroller of the treasury shall create
guidelines as to what information is required in the notice. The comptroller shall
review a notice submitted by a county government and, if the comptroller finds that
compliance would result in the loss of federal funding, then the comptroller shall notify
the county government in writing of its exemption.
(2) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller
exempts a county government from this section, the county government shall submit
in writing to the comptroller to have the exemption renewed for an additional one-year
period. A county government shall notify the comptroller within fourteen (14) days if
the conditions or justifications for the comptroller granting the exemption no longer
exist.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 6, Chapter 54, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a)(1) A municipal government shall not use a discriminatory preference in an effort to
increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or establish or maintain an office, division, or
department for such purposes. All mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance,
regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, or other declarations of a municipal
government, or an office, division, or department thereof, in existence prior to the
effective date that are in conflict with this section of this act are void.
(2) As used in this subsection (a), "discriminatory preference" means a policy,
practice, or requirement that grants or withholds benefits, opportunities, advantages,
or disadvantages to an individ.ual or group based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any
other demographic characteristic, rather than on individual merit, qualifications, or
lawful eligibility criteria.
(b)(1) This section does not apply to a municipal government that submits notice in
writing to the comptroller of the treasury that compliance with this section would result
in a loss of federal funding, to the extent such an exemption is necessary to conform
to federally awarded or amended contracts, subcontracts, or postsecondary grants as
a condition to receipt of federal funds. The comptroller of the treasury shall create
guidelines as to what information is required in the notice. The comptroller shall
review a notice submitted by a municipal government and, .if the comptroller finds that
compliance would result in the loss of federal funding, then the comptroller shall notify
the municipal government in writing of its exemption.
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(2) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller
exempts a municipal government from this section, the municipal government shall
submit in writing to the comptroller to have the exemption renewed for an additional
one-year period. A municipal government shall notify the comptroller within fourteen
(14) days if the conditions or justifications for the comptroller granting the exemption
no longer exist.
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a)(1) A metropolitan government shall not use a discriminatory preference in an effort
to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or establish or maintain an office, division, or
department for such purposes. All mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance,
regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, or other declarations of a
metropolitan government, or an office, division, or department thereof, in existence
prior to the effective date that are in conflict with this section of this act are void.
(2) As used in this subsection (a), "discriminatory preference" means a policy,
practice, or requirement that grants or withholds benefits, opportunities, advantages,
or disadvantages to an individual or group based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any
other demographic characteristic, rather than on individual merit, qualifications, or
lawful eligibility criteria.
(b)(1) This section does not apply to a metropolitan government that submits notice in
writing to the comptroller of the treasury that compliance with this section would result
in a loss of federal funding, to the extent such an exemption is necessary to conform
to federally awarded or amended contracts, subcontracts, or postsecondary grants as
a condition to receipt of federal funds. The comptroller of the treasury shall create
guidelines as to what information is required in the notice. The comptroller shall
review a notice submitted by a metropolitan government and, if the comptroller finds
that compliance would result in the loss of federal funding, then the comptroller shall
notify the county government in writing of its exemption.
(2) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller
exempts a metropolitan government from this section, the metropolitan government
shall submit in writing to the comptroller to have the exemption renewed for an
additional one-year period. A metropolitan government shall notify the comptroller
within fourteen (14) days if the conditions or justifications for the comptroller granting
the exemption no longer exist.
SECTION 6. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a)(1) A public institution of higher education in this state shall not use a
discriminatory preference in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or
establish or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes. All
mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions,
consent orders, or other declarations of a public institution of higher education, or an
office, division, or department thereof, in existence prior to the effective date that are
in conflict with this section of this act are void.
(2) As used in this subsection (a), "discriminatory preference" means a policy,
practice, or requirement that grants or withholds benefits, opportunities, advantages,
or disadvantages to an individual or group based on race, ethnicity, sex, age, or any
other demographic characteristic, rather than on individual merit, qualifications, or
lawful eligibility criteria.
(b)(1) This section does not apply to a public institution of higher education that
submits notice in writing to the comptroller of the treasury that compliance with this
section would result in a loss of federal funding, to the extent such an exemption is
necessary to conform to federally awarded or amended contracts, subcontracts, or
postsecondary grants as a condition to receipt of federal funds. The comptroller of the
treasury shall create guidelines as to what information is required in the notice. The
comptroller shall review a notice submitted by a public institution of higher education
and,_ if the comptroller finds that compliance would result in the loss of federal
funding, then the comptroller shall notify the public institution of higher education in
writing of its exemption. -
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(2) After one (1) calendar year from the date on which the comptroller
exempts a public institution of higher education from this section, the public institution
of higher education shall submit in writing to the comptroller to have the exemption
renewed for an additional one-year period. A public institution of higher education
shall notify the comptroller within fourteen (14) days if the conditions or justifications
for the comptroller granting the exemption no longer exist.
SECTION 7. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-1-111, is amended by deleting the
section and substituting instead:
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the governor shall not grant preferential
treatment when making appointments to any board, commission, committee, or other
governing or advisory entity of the executive branch of state government on the basis of
race.
(b) In appointing citizens to serve on boards, commissions, committees, and other
governing or advisory entities of the executive branch of state government, the governor
shall strive to ensure that all appointments be made based on individual merit, qualifications,
and the needs of the board, commission, committee, or other governing or adviso'ry entity.
SECTION 8. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-8-301 (a)(2), is amended by deleting
subdivisions (B) and (C).
SECTION 9. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-10-103, is amended by deleting
subsection (k).
SECTION 10. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-11-102, is amended by deleting
subdivision (e)(1 ).
SECTION 11. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-11-106(a)(2), is amended by deleting
the third sentence.
SECTION 12. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-11-302, is amended by deleting
subdivision (a)(9).
SECTION 13. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-14-203, is amended by deleting
subsection (i).
SECTION 14. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-20-101, is amended by deleting
subdivision (a)(2).
SECTION 15. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-20-107, is amended by deleting the
section.
SECTION 16. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-20-301, is amended by deleting
subsection (i).
SECTION 17. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-23-202(a)(2), is amended by deleting
the fourth sentence ofthe subdivision and substituting instead:
In appointing private citizens to serve on the Tennessee residence commission, the governor
shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) $uch citizen is a resident of the City of Oak Hill.
SECTION 18. Tennessee Code Annotated,, Section 4-24-104, is amended by deleting
subsection (d).
SECTION 19. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-28-105, is amended by deleting
subsection (g).
SECTION 20. Tennessee· Code Annotated, Section 4-28-106, is amended by deleting
subsection (g).
SECTION 21. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-49-105, is amended by deleting
subsection (h) and substituting instead:
(h) In making appointments to the council, the appointing authorities shall strive to
ensure that the council has experience in:
(1) The sports industry;
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(2) Accounting; and
(3) Law enforcement.
SECTION 22. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-51-103, is amended by deleting
subsection (d).
SECTION 23. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-51-112, is amended by deleting the
section.
SECTION 24. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-56-106, is amended by deleting
subdivision (a)(6).
SECTION 25. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 6-54-114(b), is amended by deleting the
last sentence.
SECTION 26. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-4-109, is amended by deleting
subdivision (a)(2).
SECTION 27. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-53-313, is amended by deleting the
section.
SECTION 28. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-54-113(a), is amended by deleting the
second sentence.
SECTION 29. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-67-108, is amended by deleting
subdivision (a)(4)(C)(iv) and the last sentence of subdivision (a)(4)(8).
SECTION 30. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-82-307, is amended by deleting
subsection (e) and subdivision (g)(4).
SECTION 31. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-82-701 (c)(1 )(E), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting instead:
(E) One (1) member, appointed by the governor, who has experience in
governmental finance and is not a state employee;
SECTION 32. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-86-105(b)(2), is amended by deleting
the last sentence.
SECTION 33. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-86-302, is amended by deleting
subdivision (b)(3)(A).
SECTION 34. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 7-89-108(a)(4), is amended by deleting
the second and third sentences and substituting instead:
The chief executive officer of the municipality shall strive to ensure that the board is
composed of directors who are diverse in professional background, educational background,
geographic residency, perspective, and experience.
SECTION 35. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-1-111, is amended by deleting the
section.
SECTION 36. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-30-108(c)(1 ), is amended by deleting
the subdivision and substituting instead:
(1) The governor shall appoint the members of the board of appeals from the public at
large.
SECTION 37. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
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SENATE BILL NO. 1084
PASSED: Apri I 22, 2025
RANDY M~ALLY
SPEAKER OF THE S~NATE
CAMEROlrSEXTON,SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
rl\ct- ! ~ APPROVED this
day of A. /\ 2025
BILL LEE, GOVERNOREvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.