Montana House of Representatives recently saw a surge in anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation brought forward by Rep. George Nikolakakos, R-Great Falls. Nikolakakos sponsored House Bill 635, aimed at limiting state funding for DEI programs and banning mandatory DEI training for state employees. Despite some conservative members of the Legislature voting against the bill, two other bills reining in DEI comfortably passed.
Opposition to the amended version of HB 635 led to its failure to pass a final vote in the House. The Department of Labor and Industry expressed concerns over the bill’s impact, and Governor Greg Gianforte opposed DEI trends. Similar sentiments against DEI have been rising since President Trump campaigned against such programs in the federal government. Legislative efforts by Sen. Jeremy Trebas failed in the 2023 session, but the current political climate has made it easier for legislators like Nikolakakos to support anti-DEI measures.
Two other bills aimed at limiting diversity efforts in hiring and admissions practices also passed the House, focusing on removing race and ethnicity considerations in university admissions and restricting government agencies from requesting diversity statements. Nikolakakos’s bill prohibiting state agencies from contracting with DEI programs did not advance due to concerns about the cost to the state.
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