WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SCR 127

Supports Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility initiatives in higher education and private businesses.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 1 co-sponsor

Non-binding SCR 127 urges DEIA in higher education and private industry, calling on campuses and employers to expand equitable access, diverse hiring, and inclusive curricula.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee
#civilrights #highered
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCR 127

Summary — SCR 127

Title: Supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in higher education and private businesses
Classification: Concurrent Resolution (non‑binding)
Introduced: March 7, 2025
Status: Introduced in the Senate; referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (additional referrals recorded)
Sponsors: RHOADS; SHIMABUKURO; CHANG
Related: SR 106; SR 109 (companions)

Purpose

SCR 127 is a non‑binding legislative statement expressing the Legislature’s support for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives in institutions of higher education and in private businesses. The resolution frames DEIA as important to student success, workforce competitiveness, and the State’s broader social and economic goals.

Key provisions

The concurrent resolution:
- Expresses strong legislative support for DEIA efforts in higher education and private industry as essential to economic resilience and social progress.
- Reaffirms the Legislature’s commitment to promoting and protecting DEIA initiatives and encourages policy support for equitable access to education and diverse workplaces.
- Urges higher education institutions to continue or expand policies that promote equitable access, diverse faculty/staff hiring, inclusive curricula, and supports tied to improved retention, graduation, and completion rates (mentorship, financial assistance, culturally inclusive curricula, campus resources).
- Urges private businesses to prioritize DEIA in hiring, training, leadership development, and workplace culture to enhance innovation and competitiveness.
- Directs the Clerk/Secretary to transmit copies of the resolution to the Secretary of Higher Education, governing boards of each institution of higher education in the State, and the President of the State Business and Industry Association.

Who is affected / impacted

  • Public and private institutions of higher education (policy guidance and encouragement).
  • Private sector employers operating in the State (policy encouragement).
  • Students — particularly those from historically marginalized or first‑generation backgrounds — who may benefit from expanded DEIA programs and supports.
  • State education officials and business associations (recipients of the resolution and its recommendations).

Legal and fiscal effect

  • As a concurrent resolution, SCR 127 is symbolic and advisory; it does not create legal obligations, change statutes, or appropriate funds. Implementation of the urged actions would be voluntary and dependent on each institution or employer.

Procedural/timeline notes and inconsistencies

  • Official record entries provided show multiple referral and offer dates (including entries for 2024 and 2025) and referrals to different committees (EIG/PSM; PSM/LBT; JDC; Senate Higher Education Committee). For the current procedural status consult the Legislature’s official website or committee docket for SCR 127.
  • The version materials supplied also include an unrelated paragraph urging the U.S. President not to defund law enforcement (references to federal grants and public safety). That text appears inconsistent with the DEIA resolution and may reflect an editorial or transmittal error. The operative “Introduced Version” text summarized above is the DEIA‑focused language.

For further confirmation of status, exact committee assignments, or any amended text, review the Legislature’s official bill page or contact the bill sponsor’s office.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.