North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Enacted 47 R cosponsors

HB 171 — Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Last action — Veto Overridden

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 21, 2025. Enacted.

Vetoed by Governor Josh Stein (Democratic) on June 24, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 48 sponsors

    3 primary, 45 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (47 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill prohibits state agencies from implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

This bill stops state agencies from having programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This impacts how these agencies approach hiring and workplace policies.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

216 added · 230 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to House Bill 171 focus on workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Key changes include the removal of provisions that previously allowed employees to take legal action for damages if their rights were violated under this section. This matters because it limits the recourse available to employees who might face discrimination or retaliation related to DEI efforts, potentially impacting workplace equality and employee protections.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 171 Committee Substitute Favorable 3/18/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 171 Short Title:
Representatives B.
Jones, N.
Jackson, Lowery, and Eddins (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
February 24, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT ELIMINATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) INITIATIVES IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CLARIFYING THE PENALTY PROVISIONS OF THE STATE BUDGET ACT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL CONTROL ACT.
Judiciary 1, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House February 24, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT ELIMINATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) INITIATIVES IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CLARIFYING THE PENALTY PROVISIONS OF THE STATE BUDGET ACT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL CONTROL ACT.
(a) No State agencyshall promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives, including using DEI in State government hirings and employment;
(a) No State agencyshall promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives, including, but not limited to, using DEI in State government hirings and employment;
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with, restrict, limit, or infringe upon speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S.
*H171-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with, restrict, limit, or infringe upon speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S.
*H171-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with or prohibit compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended;
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with or prohibit compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended;
(d1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the relationship between the State and an American Indian tribe which shall continue to enjoy all rights, privileges, and immunities as an American Indian tribe with a recognized tribal governing body carrying out and exercising substantial governmental duties and powers similar to the State, being recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided bythe United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
This section shall not applyto the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs and Indian education services and positions.
Influence State government practices with respect to race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, or sexual orientation other Page 2 House Bill 171-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 than for compliance with applicable State and federal antidiscrimination laws.
Influence State government practices with respect to race, sex, color, ethnicity, nationality, country of origin, or sexual orientation other than for compliance with applicable State and federal antidiscrimination laws.
or (ii) a difference in policy, practice, or action that impairs equal access to opportunities or benefits, based on a protected characteristic.
or (ii) a difference in policy, practice, or action that impairs equal access to opportunities or Page 2 House Bill 171-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 benefits, based on a protected characteristic.
– Funds from any source budgeted or expended by a local political subdivision of the State, including revenue authorized by G.S.
– Funds from any source budgeted or expended by a local political subdivision of the State, including, but not limited to, revenue authorized by G.S.
(d) The prohibitions contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this section include using State funds or public monies to do any of the following:
(d) The prohibitions contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this section include, but are not limited to, using State funds or public monies to do any of the following:
(f1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the relationship between the State and an American Indian tribe which shall continue to enjoy all rights, privileges, and immunities as an American Indian tribe with a recognized tribal governing body carrying out and exercising substantial governmental duties and powers similar to the State, being recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided bythe United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
House Bill 171-Second Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Data collection.
(6) Data collection.
(7) Bona fide qualifications based on sex which are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of public higher education, including:
(7) Bona fide qualifications based on sex which are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of public higher education, including, but not limited to:
(8) The North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs.
(9) Indian education services and positions.
(i) A violation of this section is subject to the applicable penalty provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, Article 11 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, G.S.
House Bill 171-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (i) A violation of this section is subject to the applicable penalty provisions of Article 10 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes, Article 11 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, G.S.
If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidityshall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application." SECTION 1.3.(a) Article 10 of Chapter 143C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
If any provision of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidityshall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application." SECTION 1.3.(a) Article 10 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
… Page 4 House Bill 171-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Violate G.S.
… (5) Violate G.S.
A State agency or non-State entityreceiving public funds shall have a dutyto pursue the recoupment of misspent funds by all lawful means available, including the filing of a civil action in the General Court of Justice.
A State agency or non-State entityreceiving public funds shall have a dutyto pursue the recoupment of misspent Page 4 House Bill 171-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 funds by all lawful means available, including the filing of a civil action in the General Court of Justice.
The civil action shall be brought in the county in which all or a substantial part of the acts or omissions giving rise to the action occurred." House Bill 171-Second Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.3.(c) Article 11 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
The civil action shall be brought in the county in which all or a substantial part of the acts or omissions giving rise to the action occurred." SECTION 1.3.(c) Article 11 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION 2.1.
EFFECTIVE DATE House Bill 171-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.1.
This act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to acts, omissions, or offenses occurring on or after that date.
This act is effective when it becomes law, and the penalty provisions enacted in Part I of this act apply to acts or omissions occurring on or after that date.
Page 6 House Bill 171-Second Edition
Page 6 House Bill 171-First Edition
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Amendments

2 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Veto Overridden

  2. Veto Received from House

  3. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  4. Withdrawn From Cal

  5. Placed On Cal For 04/21/2026

  6. Withdrawn From Cal

  7. Placed On Cal For 04/06/2026

  8. Withdrawn From Cal

  9. Placed On Cal For 03/09/2026

  10. Withdrawn From Cal

  11. Placed On Cal For 02/09/2026

  12. Withdrawn From Cal

  13. Placed On Cal For 01/12/2026

  14. Withdrawn From Cal

  15. Placed On Cal For 12/15/2025

  16. Withdrawn From Cal

  17. Placed On Cal For 11/17/2025

  18. Withdrawn From Cal

  19. Placed On Cal For 10/21/2025

  20. Withdrawn From Com

  21. Placed On Cal For 10/20/2025

  22. Withdrawn From Cal

  23. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  24. Withdrawn From Cal

  25. Placed On Cal For 09/22/2025

  26. Withdrawn From Cal

  27. Placed On Cal For 08/26/2025

  28. Vetoed 07/03/2025

  29. Received from the Governor

  30. Placed On Cal For 07/29/2025

  31. Pres. To Gov. 7/1/2025

  32. Ratified

  33. Concurred In S Com Sub

  34. Ordered Enrolled

  35. Amend Adopted A1

  36. Amend Adopted A3

  37. Amend Failed A2

  38. Passed 2nd Reading

  39. Passed 3rd Reading

  40. Engrossed

  41. Special Message Sent To House

  42. Special Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub

  43. Cal Pursuant 36(b)

  44. Placed On Cal For 06/26/2025

  45. Reptd Fav

  46. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  47. Com Substitute Adopted

  48. Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  49. Withdrawn From Com

  50. Re-ref to Judiciary. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

  51. Regular Message Sent To Senate

  52. Regular Message Received From House

  53. Passed 1st Reading

  54. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  55. Passed 2nd Reading

  56. Passed 3rd Reading

  57. Withdrawn From Com

  58. Placed On Cal For 04/30/2025

  59. Withdrawn From Cal

  60. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  61. Withdrawn From Cal

  62. Placed On Cal For 04/16/2025

  63. Withdrawn From Cal

  64. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  65. Withdrawn From Cal

  66. Placed On Cal For 04/09/2025

  67. Reptd Fav

  68. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  69. Placed On Cal For 04/08/2025

  70. Reptd Fav Com Sub 2

  71. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  72. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  73. Re-ref Com On State and Local Government

  74. Passed 1st Reading

  75. Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  76. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 45 co-sponsors · 131 not signed on · 50 voted No

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (45)

Not signed on (131)

131 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 131 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Veto Override M4 Previous Question

Passed 71 Yea · 47 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 67000
Unaffiliated 4300
Democratic 04301
Total 714601
% of votes cast 60%39%0%1%
How each member voted (118)
Member Party Vote
Campbell — Yea
JohnLowery — Yea
Reeder — Yea
CharlesSmith — Nay
vonHaefen — Nay
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Nay
Abe Jones Democratic Nay
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Nay
Allen Buansi Democratic Nay
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Nay
Amanda P. Cook Democratic Nay
Amber M. Baker Democratic Nay
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Nay
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Nay
Becky Carney Democratic Nay
Beth Helfrich Democratic Nay
Brandon Lofton Democratic Nay
Brian Turner Democratic Nay
Bryan Cohn Democratic Nay
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Nay
Cynthia Ball Democratic Nay
Dante Pittman Democratic Nay
Deb Butler Democratic Nay
Eric Ager Democratic Nay
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Nay
Gloristine Brown Democratic Nay
James Roberson Democratic Nay
Jordan Lopez Democratic Nay
Julia Greenfield Democratic Nay
Kanika Brown Democratic Nay
Laura Budd Democratic Nay
Lindsey Prather Democratic Nay
Marcia Morey Democratic Nay
Maria Cervania Democratic Nay
Mary Belk Democratic Nay
Mike Colvin Democratic Nay
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Nay
Phil Rubin Democratic Nay
Pricey Harrison Democratic Nay
Renée A. Price Democratic Nay
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Nay
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Nay
Sarah Crawford Democratic Nay
Shelly Willingham Democratic Not Voting
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Nay
Tim Longest Democratic Nay
Tracy Clark Democratic Nay
Vernetta Alston Democratic Nay
Ya Liu Democratic Nay
Zack Hawkins Democratic Nay
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Anna Ferguson Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Yea
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Yea
Dan Kiger Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Yea
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Yea
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Veto Override

Passed 70 Yea · 46 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 55003
Unaffiliated 151100
Democratic 03301
U 0200
Total 704604
% of votes cast 58%38%0%3%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
Bradford — Yea
Cleveland — Yea
Crutchfield — Yea
Elmore — Yea
Faircloth — Yea
Fontenot — Yea
Lowery — Yea
Mills — Yea
Moore — Yea
Reeder — Yea
Saine — Yea
Sasser — Yea
CarsonSmith — Yea
Sossamon — Yea
Autry — Nay
Clemmons — Nay
Gill — Nay
Harris — Nay
Lucas — Nay
Rudow — Nay
CharlesSmith — Nay
Staton-Williams — Nay
vonHaefen — Nay
Wray — Nay
F. Jackson — Nay
K. Baker — Yea
Abe Jones Democratic Nay
Allen Buansi Democratic Nay
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Nay
Amber M. Baker Democratic Nay
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Nay
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Nay
Becky Carney Democratic Nay
Brandon Lofton Democratic Nay
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Not Voting
Cecil Brockman Democratic Nay
Cynthia Ball Democratic Nay
Deb Butler Democratic Nay
Eric Ager Democratic Nay
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Nay
Gloristine Brown Democratic Nay
James Roberson Democratic Nay
Joe John Democratic Nay
Kanika Brown Democratic Nay
Laura Budd Democratic Nay
Lindsey Prather Democratic Nay
Marcia Morey Democratic Nay
Maria Cervania Democratic Nay
Mary Belk Democratic Nay
Pricey Harrison Democratic Nay
Renée A. Price Democratic Nay
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Nay
Sarah Crawford Democratic Nay
Shelly Willingham Democratic Nay
Terence Everitt Democratic Nay
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Nay
Tim Longest Democratic Nay
Vernetta Alston Democratic Nay
Ya Liu Democratic Nay
Zack Hawkins Democratic Nay
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Yea
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Not Voting
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jake Johnson Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Not Voting
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
W. Ted Alexander Republican Not Voting
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Nay
Nasif Majeed U Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 171?
HB 171 is sponsored by Donna McDowell White (Republican), Diane Wheatley (Republican), Sam Watford (Republican), Harry Warren (Republican), Bill Ward (Republican), Steve Tyson (Republican), John A. Torbett (Republican), Larry C. Strickland (Republican), Mitchell S. Setzer (Republican), Paul Scott (Republican), John Sauls (Republican), Dennis Riddell (Republican), Heather H. Rhyne (Republican), A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. (Republican), Larry W. Potts (Republican), Ray Pickett (Republican), Howard Penny, Jr. (Republican), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), Charles W. Miller (Republican), Jeffrey C. McNeely (Republican), Donnie Loftis (Republican), Keith Kidwell (Republican), Cody Huneycutt (Republican), Chris Humphrey (Republican), Kelly E. Hastings (Republican), Carson Smith (Republican), Kyle Hall (Republican), Brian Echevarria (Republican), Jimmy Dixon (Republican), Ted Davis, Jr. (Republican), Todd Carver (Republican), Campbell, Celeste C. Cairns (Republican), William D. Brisson (Republican), Jerry "Alan" Branson (Republican), Hugh Blackwell (Republican), Brian Biggs (Republican), Jennifer Balkcom (Republican), Jonathan L. Almond (Republican), Blair Eddins (Republican), Jarrod Lowery (Republican), Neal Jackson (Republican), Brenden H. Jones (Republican), Jeff Zenger (Republican), Matthew Winslow (Republican), David Willis (Republican), Mike Clampitt (Republican), and Jake Johnson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 171?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 21, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 171?
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