Florida Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Jacksonville today to sign a pair of legislative bills that effectively shut down local diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ban the implementation of carbon taxes across the state.
The first piece of legislation, SB 1134, targets local government spending. It prohibits Florida’s counties and municipalities from using taxpayer money to fund DEI offices or hire DEI officers.
Under the new law, any entity receiving state grants must now certify that the funds will not be used for these programs. The bill also includes enforcement measures that could penalize local officials who continue to push DEI mandates.
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“Floridians should not be forced to pay for radical climate agendas or identity politics with their hard-earned tax dollars,” DeSantis said during the signing ceremony. “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.”
Senator Clay Yarborough, who supported the measure, argued that local governments have been “wasting” millions on divisive activities. Yarborough noted that decisions should be based on merit, especially as families struggle with the rising costs of groceries and fuel. Representative Dean Black added that the law serves as a “guiding light” for merit-based opportunity, focusing on “the content of your character” rather than identity.
The second bill, HB 1217, focuses on energy policy and environmental regulations. It prevents state and local government agencies from adopting “net-zero” greenhouse gas emissions policies.
Specifically, the law bans carbon taxes, cap-and-trade programs, and any fees linked to carbon emissions. It also blocks taxpayer funds from supporting organizations that advocate for net-zero agendas.
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Representative Berny Jacques spoke in favor of the ban, stating that emissions mandates often lead to “hidden junk fees” and higher transportation costs for the average consumer. According to Jacques, the bill ensures that economic decision-making stays in the hands of Floridians rather than “global elites or green new deal activists.”
Both laws require annual reporting to ensure cities and counties are in full compliance. These measures follow a series of similar actions taken by the state in recent years to eliminate taxpayer-funded ideological programs and limit environmental regulations that the administration views as economically burdensome.
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