SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-43

No. CS/CS/SB 1134

Official Actions of Local Governments
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SPONSOR
Rules; Judiciary; Yarborough
FILED BY
Clay Yarborough — District 4, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
1/1/2027

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Official Actions of Local Governments; Prohibiting counties and municipalities, respectively, from funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion; providing that certain ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, and policies are void; providing that a county commissioner, a member of the governing body of a municipality, or any other county or municipal official acting in an official capacity who violates certain provisions commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bans local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Counties and municipalities may not fund, promote, or take official action related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Existing local ordinances, rules, and programs on these topics are declared void.

Local officials who violate the new prohibitions commit misfeasance or malfeasance in office. Residents may sue in circuit court for damages, injunctive relief, and costs.

The law carves out exceptions for compliance with state and federal antidiscrimination laws, recognizing federal and state holidays, and using equal opportunity materials.

Contractors and grant recipients must certify they will not use local funds to require employees to study diversity, equity, and inclusion materials.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Prohibition on DEI Official Actions majors. 125.595(2)

AICounties and municipalities are barred from funding, promoting, or taking official action related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and any existing ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, or policies on these topics are declared void.

“A county may not fund or promote, directly or indirectly, or take any official action, including, but not limited to, the adoption or enforcement of ordinances, resolutions, rules,” bill text, line 75 →
§ 2 Ban on DEI Offices and Officers majors. 125.595(3)

AILocal governments may not expend funds to establish, sustain, or staff a diversity, equity, and inclusion office, or to employ or contract a person to serve as a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

“A county may not expend any funds, regardless of source, to establish, sustain, support, or staff a diversity, equity, and inclusion office or to employ, contract, or otherwise” bill text, line 82 →
§ 3 Misfeasance or Malfeasance Penalty majors. 125.595(4)

AICounty commissioners, municipal governing body members, or other local officials acting in an official capacity who violate the DEI prohibitions commit misfeasance or malfeasance in office.

“A county commissioner or other county official acting in an official capacity who violates this section commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office.” bill text, line 87 →
§ 4 Contract and Grant Certification majors. 287.139

AIPotential recipients of county or municipal contracts or grants must certify that they do not and will not use local funds to require employees, contractors, or agents to study or be instructed using DEI materials.

“A potential recipient of a county or municipal contract or grant shall certify to the county or municipality, as applicable, before being awarded such contract or grant that the” bill text, line 277 →
§ 5 Private Right of Action moderates. 125.595(6)

AIResidents of a county or municipality may bring a circuit court action against the local government for violating the DEI prohibitions, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and costs.

“An action in circuit court may be brought by a resident of the county against a county that violates this section. The court may enter a judgment awarding declaratory and injunct” bill text, line 93 →
§ 6 Exemptions for Compliance and Observances moderates. 125.595(7)(a)

AILocal governments may still take official actions required for compliance with state or federal laws, and may recognize or promote federal and state holidays, patriotic observances, and monuments.

“This section does not prohibit any official action by a county required for compliance with state or federal laws or regulations.” bill text, line 97 →
§ 7 Exemption for Equal Opportunity Materials moderates. 125.595(7)(c)

AILocal governments may use equal opportunity or equal employment opportunity materials designed to inform persons about the prohibition against discrimination based on protected status under state or federal law.

“This section does not prohibit the use of equal opportunity or equal employment opportunity materials designed to inform a person about the prohibition against discrimination based” bill text, line 124 →
§ 8 Exemption for Nonelected Volunteer Bodies moderates. 125.595(8)

AIThe DEI prohibitions do not apply to the actions of a body composed of nonelected volunteers, or to basic administrative support provided to such a body unless provided by an employee whose sole function is that support.

“This section does not apply to: (a) The actions of a body composed of nonelected volunteers; or (b) Basic administrative support provided to a body composed of nonelected volun” bill text, line 146 →
TIMELINE
4/23/2026
Chapter No. 2026-43
4/22/2026
Approved by Governor
4/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/10/2026
CS passed; YEAS 77, NAYS 37
3/10/2026
Read 3rd time
3/10/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/10/2026
Amendment 122487 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 923231 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 456741 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 267745 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 596941 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 478591 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 096095 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 374053 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 904629 Failed
3/10/2026
Amendment 658395 Failed
3/10/2026
Read 2nd time
3/9/2026
1st Reading (Engrossed 1)
3/9/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
3/9/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
3/5/2026
In Messages
3/4/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 25 NAYS 11 -SJ 565
3/4/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 565
3/4/2026
Amendment(s) adopted (648678) -SJ 532
3/4/2026
Amendment(s) failed (255382, 334094, 366604, 726506, 893150) -SJ 528
3/4/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 528
3/2/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26
2/19/2026
CS/CS by Rules read 1st time
2/19/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/18/2026
CS by Judiciary read 1st time
2/18/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/17/2026
CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 19 NAYS 5
2/12/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/12/2026
Now in Rules
2/11/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/10/2026
CS by Judiciary; YEAS 8 NAYS 3
2/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 02/10/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
2/4/2026
Now in Judiciary
2/3/2026
Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 6 NAYS 2
1/29/2026
On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 02/03/26, 3:30 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Referred to Community Affairs; Judiciary; Rules
1/5/2026
Filed
38 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 125.595
+922 / −0
s. 166.04971
+932 / −0
s. 287.139
+81 / −0
s. 287.139
+56 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →