Local government leaders are monitoring legislation moving through the Florida Legislature that would likely sound a death knell for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at the city and county level.
The House bill (HB 1001) bars counties and municipalities from “funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, & inclusion.” The Senate bill (SB 1134) mirrors the House Bill and includes a harsh penalty: “any other county or municipal official acting in an official capacity who violates certain provisions commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office, etc.”
The bills could put commissioners who support diversity initiatives and the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality’s Minority, Women & Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Division in the crosshairs. The division overseen by Deputy Director Darryl Jones, who also serves as an elected school board member, supports minority and women business owners by helping them obtain certification and connecting them to contracting opportunities with local government.
The Senate bill will first hit the floor of that chamber for consideration on March 4 and the House bill goes before the full body on March 5, legislative records show. This year’s session is scheduled to end March 13.
Assuming one of the bills makes it through both chambers, Gov. Ron DeSantis – an avowed opponent of DEI measures – is sure to sign it into law.
Tallahassee City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox speaks during a street renaming ceremony honoring Anita Davis, the first African-American woman to serve as County Commissioner and chair Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
More: Florida GOP moves to keep wiping out DEI statewide
Tallahassee City Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox is joining other state leaders in a virtual press conference March 4 to drum up awareness. She said the proposed bills could have major potential economic impact if they pass, particularly to vendors who do business with the city.
She said the legislation could also affect proposed projects in the permit approval process since developers and general contractors are highly encouraged to use minority-owned and women-owned businesses as subcontractors when possible.
“These things are very concerning, and it seems to be racing through,” said Williams-Cox, calling for more locals to speak out on the issue. “It’s far reaching, very broad. I think it needs some meat on the bone, and it needs some common sense thinking.”
Williams-Cox, who said she’s testified for two years against proposed DEI elimination measures, said she doesn’t understand how the bills as they stand can be implemented because “they are so broad and it is so penalizing.”
She questioned, for example, if she’d face removal from office if she supported an Asian American festival in Tallahassee. Williams-Cox said the bill would enable a citizen to sue officials, adding she’d still be responsible for legal fees even if she prevailed.
She went on to say the largest demographic that has benefited from DEI programs are white women, adding, “I’m not sure why we’re not hearing from them as well.”
“It’s like fear,” she said, in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat ahead of the press conference. “You don’t know what to do and what not to do, and I don’t like operating like that.”
What other local leaders are saying
Several local leaders appear to be in a wait-and-see posture. Leon County Administrator Vince Long said the county is monitoring the legislation.
County Administrator Vince Long participates in a Leon County Commission meeting Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
“As with any new state law, the County will ensure full compliance while continuing to provide fair and open access to county contracting opportunities for all businesses in our community,” said Long, in an email to the Democrat.
OEV Director Keith Bowers said his agency is aware of the bills, but said it’s too soon to know how the bills could impact OEV’s MWSBE Division.
Director of the Office of Economic Vitality Keith Bowers listens to public comment during a Blueprint meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023.
In addition, he said the department includes support for small business enterprises, adding this category of businesses includes those with fewer than 200 employees and less than $5 million in net worth.
“As the legislation continues to advance, we will carefully evaluate any potential implications for our programs,” Bowers said in an email.
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida DEI ban could impact Tallahassee, Leon governments