Relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education.

HB 170 requires Texas public universities and colleges to certify compliance with diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements before spending state funds. The bill allows institutions to continue highlighting support for first-generation, low-income, and underserved students in grant applications and accreditation processes, while exempting academic instruction, research, student organizations, admissions, and data collection from its provisions. Institutions must submit annual compliance reports to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testify about their compliance at legislative hearings, and undergo state audits every four years to ensure proper use of state funds. This bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in Texas by establishing reporting, testimony, and audit requirements for funding related to DEI initiatives.