In his final year as a state senator, Mike Bell is ready to take on affirmative action in Tennessee, saying he will bring legislation this week to eliminate it from state and local governments.
Senate Bill 2440 by Bell and House Bill 2569, sponsored by Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, prohibits the state from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to an individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting.
The bill would apply to state government, the higher education system, local education agencies and public charter schools.
The measure could be considered this week in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.