HB 622 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Local Government, General - As enacted, enacts "Dismantle DEI in Employment Act." - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49.

HB 622, the "Dismantle DEI in Employment Act," prohibits Tennessee local governments (counties, cities, metropolitan areas) and public universities from considering race, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability in hiring decisions. It bans using these factors as metrics for selection and prohibits hiring to meet diversity, equity, or inclusion goals. The law applies to all employment decisions at covered entities and became effective May 27, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 21. It directly affects hiring practices for thousands of public sector employees across Tennessee.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 21, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

326
Passed
Total votes 38
Apr 22, 2025
D Democratic7
1 Yea 6 Nay
85% Nay
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
40
Key actions
19
Committee
15
Amendments
3
May 21, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Amended
Amendment tabled (Amendment 2 - SA0407)
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 6
upper
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0345)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA0412)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 24, PNV 0
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/15/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Education Committee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee - Education Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Aron Maberry
Aron Maberry
RRepublican
TN
68