Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Signs Law Banning Local DEI Funding

On April 22, 2026 Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1134, barring Florida counties and cities from spending public funds on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs or from publicly promoting them. The bill defines DEI as any effort to influence employee composition by race, gender, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation beyond compliance with anti-discrimination law. Residents may sue municipalities, and officials who fund DEI can be removed from office. The law takes effect Jan 1, 2027.

Florida Phoenix

SB 1134 follows a 2023 law that barred public colleges from DEI spending and a broader anti-woke agenda that also eliminated state climate-related initiatives. Supporters argue it curbs taxpayer-funded ideology; critics view it as a rollback of equity programs.

The Guardian

Key figures include Governor Ron DeSantis, Sen. Clay Yarborough (bill sponsor), Rep. Fabian Basabe (Miami Beach), Equality Florida, NAACP Gainesville president Evelyn Foxx, and LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus leader Kristen Browde.

Florida Governor Signs Law Restricting Local DEI Initiatives

Broward County spent nearly $900,000 on DEI training in FY 2020 and $2.8 million annually on cultural grants evaluated by DEI criteria; the bill lists roughly 12 carve-outs.

Florida Phoenix

Supporters claim the ban restores merit-based hiring; opponents warn it could halt Pride celebrations, nondiscrimination ordinances, community health programs, and minority-focused contracting. Equality Florida warns that the law threatens visibility of LGBTQ + events, while civil-rights groups anticipate constitutional challenges. Localities must redesign budgets to avoid violations, and residents gain the ability to sue municipalities for DEI funding.

The Advocate

DeSantis labeled DEI an ideological construct that he said disadvantages white males and warned that Florida would no longer tolerate “woke” policies. Yarborough framed the bill as a measure to stop taxpayer waste on DEI, while Basabe asserted that Pride will continue to thrive.

The Advocate

Equality Florida warned the law endangers Pride and LGBTQ + visibility. NAACP’s Evelyn Foxx said DeSantis’s view “does not reflect the broader public.” Kristen Browde called the measure an extreme right-wing talking point.

The Advocate

Equality Florida says carve-outs preserve the Pulse memorial but exclude Pride; Rep. Ashley Gantt notes the 12 carve-outs lack clear definitions, leaving enforcement ambiguous.

The Advocate

• “I would think with DEI the disfavored groups, number one obviously, would be white males and I think they've been discriminated against,” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

The Advocate

• “We are, of course, the state where woke goes to die,” — Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida

The Guardian

• “If you talked to 100 white men, they wouldn’t feel the same way” — Evelyn Foxx, President, NAACP Gainesville branch

The Guardian

Legal challenges are expected; municipalities are revising budgets to avoid removal, while advocacy groups will monitor Pride events and push for legislative clarification.

The Advocate