Texas governor signs sweeping new law protecting free speech on college campuses [Video]

Texas governor signs sweeping new law protecting free speech on college campuses

Declares outdoor areas public forums, punishes students who interfere with others’ speech 

JENNIFER KABBANY – FIX EDITOR

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday signed a sweeping new law that aims to protect free speech on college campuses across the Lone Star state.

“Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses,” the governor said in a video released on Twitter on Sunday as he signed the bill. “Well, no more. Because I am about to sign a law that protects free speech on college campuses in Texas.”

“Shouldn’t have to do it. First Amendment guarantees it,” he added. “Now, it’s law in Texas.”

As The College Fix reported in April, the legislation, SB18, ensures that “the common outdoor areas of the institution’s campus are deemed traditional public forums” and allows universities to impose time/place/manner restrictions as long as those restrictions follow published and viewpoint-neutral criteria and allow for “ample” alternative expression.

It also allows members of a university community “to assemble or distribute written material without a permit or other permission” from campus leaders. What’s more, it establishes “disciplinary sanctions for students, student organizations, or faculty who unduly interfere with the expressive activities of others on campus.”

Finally, it protects student organizations from denial of general university services based on the organization’s viewpoint. It also prevents universities from charging more in security fees from student organizations due to potentially controversial speakers.

As part of an effort to hold campuses accountable, Texas universities must file a report in 2020 on how they are implementing the law’s requirements.

The Texas legislation is similar to recent free speech bills passed since 2017 in AlabamaKentuckySouth DakotaTennesseeColoradoIowa and Arkansas. The states passing the laws are mostly Republican-dominant states.

MORE: Alabama gov. signs bill banishing ‘free speech zones’ from colleges

IMAGE: Denys Holovatiuk / Shutterstock

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(TLB) published this story from The College Fix.com with our appreciation for the coverage.

About the author

Jennifer Kabbany

Jennifer Kabbany is editor of The College Fix. She previously worked as a daily newspaper reporter and columnist for a decade in Southern California, and prior to that held editorial positions at The Weekly StandardWashington Times and FrontPageMagazine. She is also a Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship recipient and has contributed to National Review.

 

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