JACKSONVILLE — Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills banning local government DEI programs and blocking carbon taxes across Florida, extending the state’s crackdown on what the governor called “radical climate agendas” and “identity politics” funded by taxpayers.
“Floridians should not be forced to pay for radical climate agendas or identity politics with their hard-earned tax dollars,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today in Jacksonville, I signed two important bills to limit government overreach and prevent local authorities from imposing carbon taxes and discriminatory DEI mandates on Floridians.”
SB 1134, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, prohibits counties and municipalities from funding, promoting, or implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The law bars local governments from establishing or maintaining DEI offices, officers, or programs; prohibits taxpayer funding for DEI-related initiatives or third-party contractors promoting such efforts; requires grant recipients to certify that public funds will not be used to advance DEI; and provides enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for officials who violate the law.
“The bill is necessary because cities and counties have been funding and promoting divisive activities under the guise of DEI,” said Sen. Yarborough. “At a time when many Floridians are struggling to afford groceries and gas, millions of taxpayer dollars should not continue to be wasted by local governments on DEI initiatives, even more so because they are failing to do what they claim.”
HB 1217 prevents state and local governments from adopting or enforcing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions policies, including carbon taxes. The legislation prohibits government entities from implementing net-zero mandates or emissions targets, prevents new taxes, fees, or penalties tied to carbon emissions, bans participation in carbon trading programs such as cap-and-trade agreements, blocks the use of taxpayer funds to support organizations promoting net-zero policies, and requires annual reporting to ensure compliance and transparency.
“Net-zero mandates and carbon taxes increase costs on families, businesses, and consumers,” said Rep. Berny Jacques. “This bill protects Floridians from higher energy prices, increased transportation costs, and other hidden junk fees caused by emissions mandates and burdensome regulations. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ action today, decision making will be kept in our hands, and not in the hands of global elites or green new deal activists.”
Rep. Dean Black framed the DEI ban in broader terms. “We’re finding our way back to the everyman principles that make America great,” Black said. “The Governor’s signature positions this law as a guiding light for equal and fair opportunity in our state. No matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, the message should be clear: Florida recognizes your work ethic and the content of your character, and that’s what matters.”
The two bills build on actions Florida has taken in recent years to eliminate taxpayer-funded ideological programs at state universities and agencies. Local governments subject to SB 1134 and HB 1217 will need to certify compliance under the annual reporting requirements written into the new laws.