College students in Kansas now have the legal right to take their universities to court over free speech violations, while Tennessee educators are being encouraged to teach about religion’s positive contributions to American history.
Both legislative changes share a common thread: they honor Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who died in a violent attack at a Utah university last year.
These measures represent the initial wave of what may become numerous state-level tributes to Kirk. An Associated Press review using Plural bill-tracking software reveals that legislators across more than 20 states have introduced over 60 pieces of Kirk-related legislation aimed at advancing his political philosophy, creating memorial days, or naming public infrastructure after him.
Similar to Kirk’s reputation for stirring campus debates, these legislative efforts have sparked significant disagreement.
Kansas Republican legislators successfully overturned Democratic Governor Laura Kelly’s veto to pass their measure, despite her warning that it would “cause confusion for courts and schools.”
Tennessee Democrats criticized their state’s Kirk-related bills by highlighting what they characterized as his discriminatory comments regarding Black aviators and African American women serving in government roles.
“How many times have we sat here and endured this? The Charlie Kirk Saves America Act, whatever the heck it is? Come on guys. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s move on,” Democratic state Representative Sam McKenzie stated during a committee session where Republicans approved the “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act.”
Tennessee lawmakers also passed a separate “Charlie Kirk Act” focused on campus speech protections, including restrictions on audience members deliberately disrupting speakers by walking out.
Matt Shupe, representing Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk established, said the range of proposed legislation “shows just how deeply his influence is being felt, especially in the fight to restore intellectual diversity and core American values in education.”
Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently signed Kirk-named legislation celebrating the historical “influence of Judeo-Christian values on the freedom and liberties ingrained in our culture.”
The new law authorizes public schools and universities to incorporate instruction about religion’s beneficial impact on American development. It provides 19 specific examples, starting with the Pilgrims’ church-based community structure and encompassing George Washington’s establishment of military chaplains, Benjamin Franklin’s call for prayer during constitutional deliberations, and evangelist Billy Graham’s cultural influence.
Tennessee joins several Republican-controlled states collaborating with Turning Point USA to establish high school chapters known as Club America. Numerous club representatives from Tennessee participated in a state Senate committee session last month supporting the religious history legislation.
Ben Mason, a junior student from Providence Academy in Johnson City, credited Kirk with helping him “to understand that America began with Judeo-Christian values.”
“This, of course, does not mean that you must be a Christian or even believe in God to be in America, but you will hear about our roots,” Mason addressed lawmakers.
However, Senate Democratic Leader Raumesh Akbari expressed reservations.
“Our public schools are really not the place to push one religion over another,” she stated. “I know that is not the stated intent of the bill, but I think that ends up being the result.”
Kansas legislators created an acronym from Kirk’s name for their “Kansas intellectual rights and knowledge” legislation, which designates outdoor campus areas as venues for free expression. The bill’s introduction honors Kirk and references a 2024 Kansas State University event where Kirk’s microphone was disconnected at his scheduled conclusion time, prompting him to move into the audience to continue responding to questions.
The legislation caps security costs for student group events and eliminates restricted “free speech zones” that limit where such activities can occur. The state attorney general or individuals claiming rights violations can pursue legal action against institutions, seeking minimum damages of $500 per violation plus $50 for each continuing day.
This bill mirrors the Campus Free Expression Act championed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Approximately half of all states have already implemented campus free speech legislation, the foundation reports.
“Charlie Kirk was assassinated for exercising his right to free speech and introducing young people to conservative values,” Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson declared after Kelly’s veto was overturned. “His mission and legacy will live on and protect the free speech rights of all college students in Kansas for decades to come.”
While condemning Kirk’s assassination, Democrats unanimously opposed the legislation. Democratic state Representative Jerry Stogsdill argued lawmakers should not honor an activist whose public statements promoted “hate, bigotry, misogyny and racism.”
Louisiana Republicans have introduced the “Charlie Kirk Success Sequence Act,” mandating that public schools teach success principles including high school graduation, immediate entry into employment or higher education, and marriage before parenthood.
A Senate committee advanced this proposal this week despite facing objections.
“Why muddy this bill up by putting a controversial political figure’s name on it?” questioned Democratic Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews, whose motion to remove Kirk’s name was defeated in the Republican-majority committee.
“In the last 20 years, I cannot think of anyone that’s had the type of impact on our students, on our campuses and in our cities as Charlie Kirk,” responded Republican Senator Rick Edmonds, the bill’s author.
