Image Credit: Gage Skidmore / CC & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Two bills inspired by preserving the legacy and ideals of the late Charlie Kirk are set to be heard in the Tennessee House Higher Education Subcommittee on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The first bill is HB2025 which would require public colleges and universities to install and maintain a “Charlie Kirk Memorial Courtyard for Civil Debate” at the main campus of each school “to remind students, faculty, staff and visitors of the value of civil discourse and to encourage those who visit the courtyard to exchange differing ideas and opinions with civility and respect.”
Sponsored by Rep. Monty Fritts, the legislation seeks “to foster an inculcate a culture of public discourse and debate, especially the civil offering of dissenting opinions, and a free exchange of ideas.”
Per the bill, the courtyard must measure roughly 40 x 40 feet, display the declaration of rights in Article I of the Tennessee Constitution on the northern side of the courtyard, the Ten Commandments on the southern side of the courtyard, the Bill of Rights on the eastern side of the courtyard, and the Declaration of Independence on the western side of the courtyard.
The courtyard must be installed on each campus and open to students, faculty, staff, and visitors by Dec. 31, 2026. Sen. Mark Pody is carrying the corresponding Senate version, SB1959, which is awaiting a date before the Senate Education Committee.
Dubbed the “Charlie Kirk Act”, the second bill, HB1476, is aimed at preserving freedom of expression at higher education institutions by creating accountability and legal deterrents for discrimination against those exercising their First Amendment rights.
The bill would require public institutions of higher learning to adopt two separate policies on freedom of expression and the role of such institutes in political and social action. It would also create protections for students and student organizations inviting speakers, hosting events on campus, and exercising their right to free speech under the First Amendment.
Some of those protections include prohibiting universities from cancelling a speaker or refusing to allow student organizations from inviting a speaker to the school because of the speaker’s viewpoints or in response to threatened protests or opposition from students or faculty.
Another section states that a public university shall not discriminate or retaliate against a person or deny recognition to any student group based on their sincere religious beliefs or opposition to abortion, homosexuality, or transgender ideology.
HB1476 is being carried by Rep. Gino Bulso while the Senate version, SB1747, is sponsored by Sen. Paul Rose and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Education Committee.
As both HB2025 creating memorial courtyards and HB1476, the “Charlie Kirk Act”, are scheduled to be heard in the same subcommittee on the same day, those in support of these bills can use the same contact information below to reach House Higher Education Subcommittee members before the meeting on Wednesday:
Rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.renea.jones@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.kevin.raper@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
Rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov; rep.renea.jones@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kevin.raper@capitol.tn.gov; rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanx, emailed committee, “Please don’t kill these!”