House Amendment 2
H 4289 - Session 125 (2023-2024)
Public Institutions of Higher Learning
View Vote History

Rep. McDaniel proposes the following amendment (LC-4289.WAB0123H):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 and inserting:

SECTION X. (A) There is created the "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study Committee" to collect data on the expenditures spent and stakeholder feedback on the presence of DEI on the campuses of public institutions of higher learning for two academic years to begin at the start of the 2024 academic year.
  (1) For the purposes of this committee, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" or "DEI" encompasses the symbiotic relationship, philosophy, and culture of acknowledging, embracing, supporting, and accepting those of all racial, sexual, gender, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds, among other differentiators.
  (2) For the purpose of this committee, a "public institution of higher learning" is any state-supported, four year, undergraduate program.
  (3) For the purpose of this committee ,"stakeholder feedback" is gathered from a survey, to be created by the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs office, that is randomly distributed to students, faculty, and administrators. The survey shall be designed to influence how the presence of DEI impacts culture on college campuses.
 (B) The study committee is comprised of eleven members consisting of:
  (1) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House;
  (2) one member appointed by Chairman of House Education and Public Works Committee;
  (3) one member appointed by the House Minority Leader;
  (4) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;
  (5) one member appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee;
  (6) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
  (7) one member appointed by the Commission on Higher Education;
  (8) two tenured professors at public institutions of higher learning appointed by the Governor; and
  (9) two students at public institutions of higher learning appointed by the Governor.
 (C) Members of the study committee shall serve without compensation, but are allowed the mileage, subsistence, and per diem allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions, to be paid equally from approved accounts of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 (D) The study committee shall choose its officers and must be provided with clerical, administrative, and research services by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 (E) The study committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2027, at which time the study committee terminates.