House Bill 1001 and its companion Senate Bill 1134 would void local programs, ordinances and policies related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and prohibit cities and municipalities from funding, promoting or taking official action on DEI matters.

The legislation has gained momentum in the House and dominated discussion during Thursday’s session in Tallahassee. If passed, it will “change how government functions,” in the words of St. Pete City Council member Lisset Hanewicz, speaking during a Committee of the Whole meeting Thursday.

The bill’s language carries sharp consequences. Any government acting contrary to the measure could be deemed guilty of “malfeasance” – defined as the willful, intentional commission of an unlawful or wrongful act by a public official or fiduciary – punishable by removal from office, criminal prosecution and /or civil charges.

In response, Mayor Ken Welch asked councilmembers to sign a letter of opposition. The request came too late, according to many council members, with several abstaining signatures, citing a lack of input in drafting the letter, and opting to pen their own letters of opposition.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard was among them.

“I stand with other elected officials in opposition to this bill … but we have a process by which we could have put forward a resolution in plenty of time. That process was not followed by [Welch’s] administration. Since it’s a letter I could not collaborate on or provide feedback on, I felt uncomfortable signing it,” Gabbard told Poliverse.

She added that the administration had the opportunity the previous week to raise the bill for discussion but did not. Gabbard has publicly announced she intends to run against Welch in the next mayoral race.

Councilmember Richie Floyd similarly declined to sign Welch’s version, saying he drafted his own opposition letter because some of the language was not how he would have phrased it. Floyd’s letter states: “The broad language [of the bill], hodgepodge of exemptions and harsh penalties create a situation where cities may be unable to support events that drive economic growth and engagement.”

Neither Floyd nor Gabbard specified which portions they objected to in Welch’s letter.

Welch’s letter, obtained by Poliverse through public records request, addressed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, urges them to “vote no” when the bill reaches their chambers.

“St. Petersburg’s inclusive policies are not symbolic gestures; they are practical tools of governance,” Welch wrote. “They strengthen public health outcomes, improve workforce recruitment and retention, enhance public safety, and ensure equitable access to city services. They reflect the voices of our residents and the will of the voters who elected us to serve them.”

He continued that preempting those efforts would “undermine our ability to respond to local needs, create uncertainty for community partners and city operations, and erode public trust in government.”

Both measures have drawn criticism for vague language and what opponents call an overreach of local authority, as granted under Florida’s constitution.

A city attorney noted during the Committee of the Whole meeting that with two weeks left in the legislative session, the bill language could still change. That window for amendments does not guarantee the penalties will soften, only that revisions remain possible.

“St. Petersburg is very proud to be an inclusive community,” Gabbard said, and, echoing Hanewicz, added: “[HB 1001] will fundamentally change how our government functions.”