The State and Local Government Committee voted 17–6 to advance House Bill 1237, a measure that prohibits state regulatory and health-related boards from excluding people from membership on the basis of race, color, ethnicity or national origin and bars boards from operating under race-based composition policies.

Sponsor Deputy Speaker Zachary told the committee the bill responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 9, 2023, decisions addressing race-conscious admissions policies and argued it was needed to align board appointments with equal-protection principles. “This bill prohibits the exclusion of persons from membership on state regulatory and health boards on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, and national origin,” Zachary said. He added the measure would ensure appointments are made “based on merit.”

Opponents said the Supreme Court cases cited by the sponsor dealt with college admissions and do not logically require this statewide change to boards and commissions. Representative Miller argued the university cases do not directly address the composition of state boards and described the bill as “misguided.” Representative Powell raised concerns that removing consideration of race and other demographics could weaken boards’ ability to address health outcomes that disproportionately affect particular communities, citing sickle-cell disease as an example.

Other committee members pressed competing views. Representative Mitchell, a former official responsible for board appointments, warned that boards often act like panels that can discipline licensees and said members would expect a “jury of your peers” that reflects the population. Representative Dixie said she was concerned the bill would roll back efforts to make boards representative of the communities they serve and called the measure “unnecessary” and “divisive.”

The committee first adopted amendment drafting code 4024 before taking the final vote on the bill. After the roll call, the clerk reported 17 ayes and 6 nays; the measure now goes to calendar and rules.

Committee debate focused on whether the bill is a necessary legal alignment or an overbroad change that would reduce demographic representation on boards. Supporters argued the measure removes race-based criteria and centers qualifications; opponents said the change could limit perspectives on boards and undercut local efforts to ensure representation tied to health, geography and lived experience.

What’s next: House Bill 1237 will be scheduled for calendar and rules. If it reaches the floor, the sponsor and opponents indicated they expect continued debate about the bill’s intent and its practical effects on board appointments and representation.