89R6399 CS-D     By: Tinderholt H.B. No. 3427       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the authority of a political subdivision to implement   certain diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended   by adding Section 180.011 to read as follows:          Sec. 180.011.  PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND   INCLUSION POLICIES.  (a)  In this section, "diversity, equity, and   inclusion policy" means an official policy of a political   subdivision that:                (1)  requires, encourages, or otherwise promotes   hiring or employment practices or workforce composition based on   race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than through the use of   color-blind, race-neutral, and sex-neutral hiring processes in   accordance with any applicable state and federal   antidiscrimination laws;                (2)  requires, encourages, or otherwise promotes   differential treatment or the provision of special benefits to   individuals on the basis of race, sex, color, or ethnicity; or                (3)  promotes a particular opinion referencing   unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship,   transgender ideology, microaggressions, group marginalization,   anti-racism, systemic oppression, social justice,   intersectionality, neo-pronouns, heteronormativity, disparate   impact, gender theory, racial or sexual privilege, or any related   formulation of these concepts.          (b)  Unless explicitly required by state or federal law, a   political subdivision may not:                (1)  adopt or enforce a diversity, equity, and   inclusion policy; or                (2)  coerce, compel, or require an employee to attend   or take part in a training based on a diversity, equity, and   inclusion policy.          (c)  A person, including the attorney general, may bring an   action to enjoin a violation of Subsection (b) in a district court   in:                (1)  Travis County; or                (2)  the county in which the principal office of the   political subdivision in which the violation occurs is located.          (d)  Any person who substantially prevails in an action under   Subsection (c) is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's   fees and costs from the political subdivision.  Governmental   immunity of a political subdivision to suit and from liability is   waived to the extent of liability created under Subsection (c).          (e)  A political subdivision that is determined in an action   under Subsection (c) to have violated Subsection (b) may not   receive state grant funds for the two years following the date of   the determination.  The comptroller shall adopt rules to implement   this subsection uniformly among the state agencies from which state   grant funds are distributed to political subdivisions.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.