Support HB 171: End DEI Mandates in NC Government
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
House Bill 171 Filed Friday, February 21, 2025
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
Intro. by B. Jones; N. Jackson; Lowery; Eddins (Primary).
Bill summary
HB 171 would stop government-imposed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates in North Carolina. This important legislation:
- Prohibits state and local agencies from promoting, funding, or requiring DEI initiatives.
- Ends the use of DEI in hiring and employment practices—ensuring all hiring is merit-based and fair.
- Eliminates government-funded DEI staff positions and offices.
- Bans required or incentivized DEI training for government employees.
- Creates penalties for violations and authorizes the State Auditor to enforce compliance.
HB 171 restores fairness, merit, and equal opportunity for all North Carolinians by keeping identity politics out of our government.
Bill Status
Despite passing committee review, HB 171 has been repeatedly pulled from the House voting calendar and is currently stalled in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee.
This is a tactic to delay public debate and avoid a vote—unless lawmakers hear from you.
🧭 Next Steps for HB 171
1. House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee Review: The committee must place HB 171 on its agenda, hold a discussion, and vote to send it to the full House floor for a second and third reading. The bill must pass both votes in the House.
2. Senate Consideration: If HB 171 passes the House, it is sent to the North Carolina Senate. The Senate assigns the bill to its own committees, where it undergoes review, potential amendments, and must win committee approval.
3. Senate Floor Vote: The Senate then must vote on the bill in a similar two-step (secondand third reading) process.
4. Final Steps: If the Senate passes the same version as the House, HB 171 goes to the Governor. If the Senate amends the bill, it returns to the House for concurrence. The Governor can sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature.
Call to Action #1
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
Thank the Sponsors of HB 171
Don’t Let the Left Dominate the Conversation
Well-organized left-wing activists—especially in places like Buncombe County—have already flooded lawmakers in Raleigh with opposition to HB 171. Too often, conservative voices are missing from these debates, and legislators only hear from one side.
That’s why it’s so important for supporters of fairness, merit, and true equality to speak up now. If you believe in ending DEI mandates and keeping government focused on serving all North Carolinians equally, your voice is needed!
Please take a moment to email the primary sponsors of HB 171 and thank them for their leadership and courage.
Contact the Primary Sponsors of HB 171:
- Rep. Brenden H. Jones – Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov
- Rep. Neal Jackson – Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov
- Rep. Jarrod Lowery – Jarrod.Lowery@ncleg.gov
- Rep. Blair Eddins – Blair.Eddins@ncleg.gov
Let them know you appreciate their commitment to restoring merit, fairness, and equal opportunity in North Carolina government!
Your voice can make the difference—don’t let the organized opposition be the only one they hear.
Sample eMail message below. Feel free to copy this one or write your own:
Subject: Thank You for Championing HB 171 and Upholding Merit-Based Principles
Dear Representatives Jones, Jackson, Lowery, and Eddins,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your leadership in sponsoring House Bill 171, the "Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI" bill. Your commitment to ensuring that state and local government operations prioritize merit and equal opportunity over divisive identity-based initiatives is commendable.
In an era where policies can sometimes drift away from foundational principles, your efforts to realign our state's focus on fairness, qualifications, and individual merit are both timely and necessary. By addressing concerns related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, you are advocating for a system that treats all North Carolinians equitably, without preferential treatment based on immutable characteristics.
I understand that taking such a stand requires courage and conviction, especially in the face of potential opposition. Please know that your constituents and supporters across the state recognize and appreciate your dedication to fostering a more just and meritocratic society.
Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to these values.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or City, NC]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number] (optional)
Call to Action #2
LC Legislature Bill Lookup Results
Call to Action #2
Contact Committee Leadership: HB 171 is now in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee. Contact the chair and vice chairs and ask them to advance this bill:
- Chair:
Rep. Destin Hall
Destin.Hall@ncleg.gov | (919) 733-5931
- Vice Chairs:
Rep. Jon Hardister
Jon.Hardister@ncleg.gov | (919) 733-5191
Rep. Sarah Stevens
Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.gov | (919) 733-5861
Rep. John Bell
John.Bell@ncleg.gov | (919) 715-3017
Rep. Jason Saine
Jason.Saine@ncleg.gov | (919) 715-3017
Sample eMail message below. Feel free to copy this one or write your own:
Subject: Please Allow a Floor Vote on HB 171
Dear Chair Hall and Committee Vice Chairs,
I am writing as a concerned North Carolinian to respectfully request that you advance House Bill 171 for consideration by the full House.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the bill’s provisions, I believe it is important for our state’s legislative process to allow for open debate and a public vote on measures of significant public interest. HB 171 addresses important questions regarding government policy and the use of taxpayer resources, and citizens across North Carolina are eager for a transparent process.
Thank you for your leadership on the Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee and for considering the voices of residents statewide.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address (optional)]
[Your Email/Phone (optional)]
Call to Action #3
Call to Action #3
Call to Action #2
Contact Your Representatives Now—and Again Later!
Don’t wait. Let Representatives Turner, Prather, and Ager know now that you support HB 171 and want to see it advanced. Then, watch for our updates—we’ll remind you when a House floor vote is scheduled, so you can send another message at the crucial moment!
Buncombe County House Representatives:
Buncombe County is represented by three Democratic members in the North Carolina House:
Representative Eric Ager (District 114)
Representative Lindsey Prather (District 115)
Representative Brian Turner (District 116)
Our Buncombe County state house representatives are Democrats. Based on their voting history and public statements, they typically support measures related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and are likely to oppose HB 171, viewing it as a challenge to current DEI practices in state and local government.
Your outreach is still important. Communicating your views—whether in support or opposition—reminds elected officials that they represent a diversity of perspectives within their district.
Sample eMail message below. Feel free to copy this one or write your own:
Subject: Please Support a Vote on HB 171 – Let the Public’s Voice Be Heard
Dear Representative [Last Name],
As your constituent, I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 171, which would prohibit government-mandated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and ensure that state and local government employment decisions in North Carolina are based on merit, not identity politics.
I understand that many representatives from Buncombe County typically favor DEI measures and may view this legislation as controversial. However, I urge you to recognize that many citizens—including those you represent—believe that taxpayer-funded government should treat everyone equally and focus on qualifications, performance, and fair opportunity for all.
At a minimum, I ask that you support bringing HB 171 forward for an open, public vote. Let the people’s voice be heard in Raleigh. Even if you ultimately disagree with this bill, transparency and honest debate are essential to a healthy democracy.
Thank you for your service to our community, and for considering my perspective on this important issue.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address (optional)]
[Your Email/Phone (optional)]
Call to Action #4
Call to Action #3
Call to Action #4
Public Engagement: Consider writing letters to local newspapers or participating in community forums to raise awareness about the bill's importance.
Sample Letter to Editor below. Feel free to copy this one or write your own:
Title: Support Merit and Fairness—Pass HB 171
To the Editor,
As a resident of North Carolina, I want to express my support for House Bill 171, which would end government-mandated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in North Carolina government. HB 171 returns our focus to merit, fairness, and equal opportunity—the foundation of effective public service.
Taxpayer-funded DEI programs often introduce identity politics and divisive ideology into our state and local agencies. Rather than fostering real inclusion, these policies can undermine equal treatment and distract from the government’s true mission of serving all citizens.
Here in Buncombe County, there are many who want government to treat everyone equally—without favoritism or quotas based on race, gender, or other personal characteristics. HB 171 is about promoting genuine equality, emphasizing qualifications and performance, not political agendas.
I know some of our local representatives may oppose this effort, but that’s why it’s so important for those who value fairness and merit to make our voices heard. I encourage my fellow citizens to contact our legislators and thank the sponsors of HB 171 for standing up for equal opportunity and common sense in government.
Let’s keep North Carolina focused on merit, fairness, and service—not divisive politics.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Town or ZIP Code]
[Optional: Email Address or Phone Number]
Arguments and Responses
Here’s a strategic list of likely opposition arguments you may hear from left-leaning critics about HB 171 (Local Government Transparency)—paired with moderate/conservative responses to help you defend these bills in public forums, letters, and social media.
✅ Response:
On the contrary—HB 171 is about restoring fairness and true equal opportunity. Government jobs and promotions should be based on qualifications and merit, not identity. Treating everyone equally means no special treatment for anyone, and that’s the most just system for all.
✅ Response:
Our state and federal laws already make discrimination illegal. HB 171 doesn’t remove protections; it ensures that government remains neutral and focused on ability, not appearance. Equal treatment is the best way to fight discrimination—not creating new categories or quotas.
✅ Response:
We should all want respectful, professional workplaces. But forced DEI training too often focuses on ideology and blame, not actual respect. HB 171 simply ensures training is about professional standards and job performance—not political messaging.
✅ Response:
HB 171 is not about erasing history or silencing anyone. It’s about ensuring government serves everyone equally, without picking winners and losers based on personal characteristics. We can honor our history and learn from it without dividing people by identity.
✅ Response:
Honestly, a spreadsheet might finally bring some transparency to government! But jokes aside, we just want hiring and promotions to be based on what people can do—not on which identity boxes they check. That’s good for taxpayers and for North Carolina’s future.