HB 1305-FN (2024): relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1305-FN (2024)

relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Education
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General
• Chapter law: 232

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the House Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 9, 2024, with 61 people signed in online: 11 in support and 50 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on January 30, 2024 and January 31, 2024. The committee held a work session on February 1, 2024. The committee met in executive session on February 14, 2024 and February 20, 2024. The committee recommended, on a tied vote of 10–10, which carries no majority, that the House make no recommendation, and the report was placed on the regular calendar. A floor amendment (2024-0654h) was rejected on a division vote 181–182 on March 14, 2024. On March 14, 2024 the House adopted “Reconsider Amendment 2024-0654h” on a roll call 189–183, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. A floor amendment (2024-0654h) was adopted on a division vote 192–182 on March 14, 2024, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2024-1094h), offered by Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, was adopted on a roll call 197–175 on March 14, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On March 14, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 206–169. It crossed to the Senate on March 21, 2024 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 9, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1623s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1623s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 2, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 2, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 30, 2024 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1629s” on a roll call 201–160, on a motion by Rep. Rick Ladd. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 19, 2024, making it Chapter 232 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller (R - Rock 17) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Valerie McDonnell (R - Rock 25)
• Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Rock 17)
• Rep. Ellen Read (D - Rock 10)
• Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)
• Rep. Joe Alexander (R - Hills 29)
• Rep. Len Turcotte (R - Straf 4)
• Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R - Carr 7)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 9, 2024, 10:15 AM: public hearing, House Education, LOB 205-207
• January 30, 2024, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• January 31, 2024, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• February 1, 2024, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• February 14, 2024, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• February 20, 2024, 9:15 AM: executive session, House Education, LOB 205-207
• April 9, 2024, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101

Votes

• March 14, 2024, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 181, nays 182, failed
• March 14, 2024, House: Reconsider — yeas 189, nays 183, passed
• March 14, 2024, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 192, nays 182, passed
• March 14, 2024, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 197, nays 175, passed
• March 14, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 206, nays 169, passed
• May 2, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1623s — voice vote, passed
• May 30, 2024, House: Concur — yeas 201, nays 160, passed

The Docket

Related Bills

• HB 516-FN (2023): relative to freedom of speech and association at public institutions of higher education.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 14
• SC 17
• This page’s data as JSON