Rep. Tims: HB 698 is Unreasonable, Burdensome Government Overreach

COLUMBUS – Asst. Minority Whip Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) today slammed House Bill (HB) 698, the SB 1 Compliance Supplemental Appropriation Act, calling it an obstructive governmental overreach into Ohio’s public colleges and universities. 

“HB 698 is an unreasonable overstep of an already deeply destructive bill,” said Rep. Tims. “Politicians should never have gained the power to attack free speech and academic freedom that they did when SB 1 passed. HB 698 is an even more intentional and unnecessary expansion of the government into the classroom and collective bargaining agreements. That’s why federal courts across the country are rejecting these destructive attacks on public education. This bill marks an unprecedented escalation of the already obstructive censorship of Ohio’s public universities.”

This bill would require every state university to annually certify its compliance with the Higher Education Destruction Act (SB 1), specifically regarding the demolishment of DEI programs. It would also require public universities to each submit a list of all employees who worked in DEI and prohibit universities from reclassifying former DEI-related programs to ensure their survival.

Rep. Tims remains committed to fighting this expansion of government oversight, red tape, and administrative burdens that destroy Ohio values.