Bill Caption

Relating to the protection of expressive rights of student organizations at public institutions of higher education.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 1699 would require any institution of higher education to permit a student organization formed for the purpose of exercising expressive rights (enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section 8, Article I of the Texas Constitution) to establish and maintain membership and leadership qualifications for the organization that further the organization’s purpose, including requiring the organization’s leaders or members to adhere to or comply with the organization’s sincerely held beliefs or sincere standards of conduct.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 1699 on the principles of individual liberty and limited government. This bill acts to strengthen and reinforce students' Constitutional rights to free speech on college campuses regardless of the institution's viewpoint. College campuses are grounds for intellectual discourse where students should learn the value of the exchange of ideas even if they disagree with them. Acts that intimidate or suppress free speech should not be tolerated. Furthermore, most institutions of higher education receive taxpayer funding and must therefore be strictly prohibited from violating the rights to freedom of speech and of association, among others.