On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives approved two noteworthy bills. The first, an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative, targets public funding for school programs and events where attendance is premised on an individual’s race, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation. The full text of the bill, SB-129, is sponsored by Senator Will Barfoot (R) and can be found here.
This legislation follows a conservative trend opposing DEI initiatives within public agencies and educational institutions, such as Florida’s recently enacted Stop Woke Act. Democratic members of the Alabama House argued that the bill represents a backward step in the face of progress made to provide opportunities for minorities within the state.
Critics of SB-129, including various Democratic leaders, propose an amendment to safeguard First Amendment rights in educational settings, given the bill’s potential implications for employees in breach of its terms.
The second approved bill, SB-1, sponsored by Senator Garlan Gudger (R), is concerned with restricting absentee ballot assistance, making it an offence to receive payment for aiding someone in completing an absentee ballot or application. This bill is available for review here.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the proposal of SB-1 in a press release, labeling it a voter-suppression tactic that undermines the democratic process and the fundamental right guaranteed under the US Constitution.
In the forthcoming weeks, both bills will return to the Alabama Senate for their consideration of the House amendments.