News
The NAACP Urges North Carolina Lawmakers to Vote NO on N.C. House Bill 171 Which Would Ban DEI in State Agencies
HB171 poses a serious threat to fairness, innovation, and North Carolina’s economic competitiveness—particularly in public contracting.
If enacted, this bill would repeal critical statutes like NCGS 143.128.2–4, which established the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB Office). These statutes have played a vital role in opening opportunities for diverse businesses to compete for state contracts, increasing innovation and reducing costs through broader, more inclusive competition.
Repealing these laws would:
Restrict access for minority- and women-owned businesses
Drive up construction costs by shrinking the pool of qualified bidders
Make North Carolina less appealing to businesses, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers
Slow economic growth at a time when inclusive practices are key to progress
The 2021 North Carolina Disparity Study underscores the continued need for equitable contracting. Although minority- and white women-owned businesses comprise 33.7% of available construction firms, they receive less than 8% of contract spending.
HB171 addresses no real problem. Its sponsors have provided no data to justify the bill and have made false claims—suggesting, without basis, that current laws require quotas or override merit. In reality, North Carolina’s procurement system is strictly merit-based, awarding contracts to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders.
Even more troubling, the bill introduces civil penalties aimed at silencing those who advocate for fairness and wider participation in state contracting—an approach that is both undemocratic and chilling.
We cannot afford to undo decades of progress toward economic inclusion and equity.
Vote NO on HB171 and reject policies that would undermine North Carolina’s ability to grow in a fair, inclusive, and competitive way.
NAACP Calls for State Lawmakers to Vote NO to N.C. House Bill 171
protect fair access and economic growth!
