Texas legislation · 89th Legislature Regular Session
Texas SB2972: Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
Status: Signed into law, June 20, 2025
What the bill says
An act relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
From the enrolled text, June 1, 2025:
AN ACT relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 51.9315(a)(2) and (3), Education Code, are amended to read as follows: (2) "Expressive activities" means any speech or expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or by Section 8, Article I, Texas Constitution, and includes assemblies, protests, speeches, the distribution of written material, the carrying of signs, and the circulation of petitions. The term does not include[ADDED: :] [] [] [] [] [ or] [ADDED: (F) threats to engage in unlawful activity]. (3)[ADDED: "Governing board" and "institution][[DELETED: "Institution]] of higher education"[ADDED: have][[DELETED: has]] the[ADDED: meanings][[DELETED: meaning]] assigned by Section 61.003. SECTION 2. Section 51.9315, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (c), (d), and (f) and adding Subsections (d-1), (k), and (l) to read as follows: (b) It is the policy of this state and the purpose of this section to protect the expressive rights of persons guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and of this state by: (1) recognizing freedom of speech and assembly as central to the mission of institutions of higher education; and (2) ensuring that[ADDED: students enrolled at and employees ] [ADDED: of an institution of higher education][[DELETED: all persons]] may assemble …
Sponsors
- Charles Creighton (R, SD-004) · primary sponsor
- Phil King (R, SD-010)
- Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018)
- Mayes Middleton (R)
- Jeff Leach (R, HD-067)
Latest actions
- : Effective on 9/1/25
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Signed in the House
- : Signed in the Senate
- : Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
- : Reported enrolled
- : House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
- : Record vote
- : Senate adopts conference committee report
Votes
- Higher Education Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Education K-16 Committee Vote (Out of committee): 8 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate adopts conference committee report (June 1, 2025): 22 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#4159 (June 1, 2025): 97 yea, 39 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3879 (May 28, 2025): 97 yea, 39 nay, passed
- Record vote RV#3770 (May 27, 2025): 111 yea, 27 nay, passed
Subjects: Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs, Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Common questions
- What is SB2972?
- SB2972 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
- What does SB2972 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.
- What is the status of SB2972?
- Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 20, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB2972?
- Charles Creighton (R, SD-004), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2972?
- On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB02972
Source: official Texas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.