HR394: HR394 House of Representatives; the American Dream belongs to all of us; affirm

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a statement of the House of Representatives' position on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, framed around the idea that opportunity and prosperity, described as the American Dream, should be available to everyone. The resolution's preamble describes DEI as rooted in civil rights history, from the 19th Amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and argues that efforts to restrict DEI conflict with free speech and anti-discrimination laws. The operative resolving clauses have the House affirm its commitment to DEI principles, encourage local, state, and federal policymakers, schools, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt DEI practices, and direct the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Has the House of Representatives formally affirm its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles as part of achieving what it calls the American Dream.
• Encourages local, state, and federal policymakers, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt DEI principles.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it states a position rather than imposing legal requirements.

The resolution names policymakers at the local, state, and federal level, educational institutions, workplaces, and other organizations as groups it encourages to adopt DEI principles, though it imposes no binding obligation on any of them.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending the Georgia Code, it does not create enforceable rights or duties. Its practical effect is to place the House on record supporting DEI policies at a time when such policies are being debated and restricted in some other jurisdictions.

• The preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) frames DEI as connected to historical civil rights milestones including the 19th Amendment, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• The first resolving clause has House members affirm DEI as essential to opportunity, health, prosperity, and safety for all individuals.
• The second resolving clause encourages policymakers, schools, workplaces, and other organizations to adopt and uphold DEI principles.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-28House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-26House Hopper (House)

• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Imani Barnes (D, HD-086)
• Long Tran (D, HD-080)
• David Sampson (D, HD-153)
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)

• diversity equity and inclusion
• civil rights
• legislative resolutions
• education policy
• workplace policy