A new Kansas law would allow college students to sue their schools for free speech violations. And in Tennessee, a new law will encourage teachers and professors to include “positive effects of religion” in American history courses.
Common factor: Both are done as nouns Charlie Kirk.
The bills are among the first that could become multiple tributes to the conservative activist who was killed while speaking at a Utah university last year. More than 60 bills have been proposed under Kirk’s title in more than 20 states that seek to promote his ideology, create official days of remembrance or put his name on roads and public places, according to an Associated Press analysis using Collection invoice tracking software.
Just like Kirk, who was known for his provocative debates on campus, so are these measures It is not without controversy.
Kansas Republican lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a law she said would “overwhelm the courts and schools.”
In Tennessee, where Republicans strongly control state government, some Democrats denounced the pro-Kirk legislation by listing what they described as Racist statements He spoke about black pilots and black women in government positions.
“How many times have we sat here and put up with this? The Charlie Kirk Saves America Act, whatever it is? Come on, guys. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s move forward,” Democratic state Rep. Sam McKenzie said during a committee meeting where Republicans backed the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act.
This should not be confused with Tennessee’s “Charlie Kirk Law,” which Republicans also recently passed. This bill addresses freedom of expression on college campuses, including a ban on attending attendees intentionally disrupting a speaker.
The diversity of bills in Kirk’s name “demonstrates the depth of his influence, especially in the fight to restore intellectual diversity and core American values in education,” State Department spokesman Matt Shupe said. Turning point USAFounded by Kirk.
A law bearing Kirk’s name signed by Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee this week extols “the historic impact of Judeo-Christian values on the freedoms and liberties inherent in our culture.”
It gives permission for public schools and institutions of higher education to teach about the positive role of religion in American history. He lists 19 examples, beginning with the organization of the Pilgrims as a church, and including George Washington’s directives for army chaplains, Benjamin Franklin’s call to prayer at the Constitutional Convention and the influence of Christian evangelist Billy Graham.
Tennessee is one of several Republican-led states that has partnered with Turning Point USA to promote the high school classes, which are called Club of America. Dozens of club leaders from Tennessee attended a state Senate committee hearing last month to support religion-in-history legislation.
Ben Mason, a senior at Providence Academy in Johnson City, said Kirk helped him “understand that America began with Judeo-Christian values.”
“This, of course, does not mean that you have to be a Christian or even believe in God to be in America, but you will hear about our roots,” Mason told lawmakers.
But Senate Democratic Leader Romesh Akbari raised concerns.
“Our public schools are really not the place to choose one religion over another,” she said. “I know that’s not the stated goal of the bill, but I think that’s ultimately the outcome.”
Lawmakers turned Kirk’s name into an acronym for the Kansas Intellectual Property and Knowledge Act, which deems outdoor areas on college campuses as forums for free speech. The bill’s preamble praises Kirk and cites a 2024 incident at Kansas State University in which Kirk’s microphone was turned off at the end of his allotted time, prompting Kirk to wade into the crowd to continue taking questions.
The measure limits security fees charged to student organizations for events and prohibits designated “free speech zones” that restrict the location of such activities. A prosecutor—or someone who believes their rights have been violated—can sue an organization seeking damages of at least $500 for each violation, and $50 for each day that the violation continues.
The bill is similar to the Campus Free Speech Act, promoted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. According to the foundation, about half of states already have free speech laws on campus.
“Charlie Kirk was assassinated for exercising his right to free speech and exposing young people to conservative values,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson said after Kelly’s veto was recently overridden. “His mission and legacy will live on and protect the free speech rights of all Kansas college students for decades to come.”
Democrats, while denouncing Kirk’s assassinationThey united in opposing the bill. Democratic state Rep. Jerry Stogsdale said lawmakers should not honor the activist whose statements promote “hate, bigotry, misogyny and racism.”
In Louisiana, Republicans proposed a bill called “ “Charlie Kirk’s Law of Success Sequence.” The measure requires public schools to teach that keys to success include obtaining a high school diploma, entering directly into the workforce after high school or college, and getting married before having children.
A Senate committee advanced the bill this week after overcoming objections.
“Why muddy this bill by putting the name of a controversial political figure on it?” asked Democratic Sen. Katrina Jackson Andrews, whose attempt to remove Kirk’s name failed in the Republican-dominated committee.
“In the last 20 years, I can’t think of anyone who has had this kind of impact on our students, on our campuses and in our cities as Charlie Kirk,” said Republican Sen. Rick Edmonds, who wrote the bill.
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Associated Press writers Sarah Klein, John Hanna and Jonathan Mathis contributed to this report.