Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S1736: Political Activity at Public Institutions of Higher Education
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Defining the term "public institution of higher education"; requiring such institutions to promote specified discussion and debates; requiring such institutions to take specified actions relating to candidates for public office; requiring certain persons or entities to obtain prior approval from such institutions before conducting specified political activities on campus, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to political activity at public institutions of higher education; creating s. 106.041, F.S.; defining the term âpublic institution of higher educationâ; requiring such institutions to promote specified discussion and debates; requiring such institutions to take specified actions relating to candidates for public office; requiring certain persons or entities to obtain prior approval from such institutions before conducting specified political activities on campus; prohibiting candidates for office from taking specified actions…
From the introduced text, January 9, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to political activity at public institutions of higher education; creating s. 106.041, F.S.; defining the term âpublic institution of higher educationâ; requiring such institutions to promote specified discussion and debates; requiring such institutions to take specified actions relating to candidates for public office; requiring certain persons or entities to obtain prior approval from such institutions before conducting specified political activities on campus; prohibiting candidates for office from taking specified actions; authorizing such institutions to determine specified criteria for political discussions and debates; requiring certain nonpartisan organizations to provide certain information to such institutions; creating s. 1004.0972, F.S.; defining the term âpublic institution of higher educationâ; requiring such institutions to establish policies for political activities on the campuses of such institutions; specifying requirements for such policies; specifying requirements for political student organizations at such institutions; providing prohibitions on the use of certain institutional resources by employees; providing applicability and construction; requiring the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the State University System to monitor compliance with specified provisions and authorizing such boards to adopt rules and regulations, respectively; providing reporting requirements for such institutions to the Department of State, the State Board of Education, the Board of Governors, and certain county supervisors of elections; providing an effective date. Be …