TALLAHASSEE The Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would put new requirements on universities related to debates and other campus forums, with supporters saying it would bolster free speech but critics arguing it could have unintended consequences.
The Republican-controlled House voted 82-34 along near-party lines to approve the bill (HB 931), which still needs to pass the Senate before it could go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The proposal (HB 931) also would prevent state colleges and universities from requiring students and staff to complete political loyalty tests as a condition of admission or employment.
Under the bill, each university would be required to establish an Office of Public Policy Events, which would be responsible for organizing, publicizing and staging at least four debates or forums per year.
Such debates and group forums must include speakers who represent widely held views on opposing sides of the most widely discussed public policy issues of the day and who hold a wide diversity of perspectives from within and outside of the state university community, the bill says.
But several House Democrats criticized the bill for not defining widely held views. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, argued that leaving the issue open to interpretation could benefit some groups over others.
I think its hard to dictate what is a widely held view. That often can take the shape of who is in political power at that time, who is the biggest donor to a university, whos the biggest donor to the governor. I just am very concerned that we actually are not creating an environment with freedom of speech, because some speech will be preferred over others, Eskamani said.
Supporters of the bill, however, argued that it would help protect campus free speech. Rep. Doug Bankson, R-Apopka, called higher-education institutions a crucible of free thought.
It is our foundational right to have freedom of speech. This great bill protects those things. It makes sure that all voices can be heard. Because truth has its own legs, it can stand on its own when its given the chance to be heard, Bankson said.
Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, contended that not all arguments deserve equal airtime.
Im sorry but Nazism, there is no pro (side), there is no flip-side to the coin, Harris said.
Bill sponsor Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers Republican, pushed back on Harris argument.
I would argue that Nazism is not a widely held idea. But let me ask you this if a speaker came onto campus advocating that we should reinstitute slavery; that we should exterminate the Jewish population, I would say this, So what? And I will quote our 28th president, Woodrow Wilson, when he said, The best way to expose a fool is to allow him to rent out a hall and put forth his ideas to his fellow citizens, Roach said.
The measure also would require that, if a schools Office of Public Policy Events cant readily find an advocate from within the state university community who is well-versed in a perspective, the office would invite a speaker and provide a per-diem and a reimbursement for travel expenses.
Democrats also questioned why the measure did not include a cap on how much money could be provided to invited speakers.
The part of the bill that seeks to prohibit political loyalty tests defines such tests as compelling, requiring, or soliciting a person to identify commitment to or to make a statement of personal belief in support of things such as a specific partisan, political, or ideological set of beliefs.
Such tests also could not require statements of support for any ideology or movement that promotes the differential treatment of a person or a group of persons based on race or ethnicity, including an initiative or a formulation of diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond upholding the Constitution.
Continued here:
Florida House approves bill that would change rules around campus ... - WUFT
- Turkey's crackdown on freedom of speech intensifies [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Bill of Rights Transcript Text - National Archives and ... [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- 3 Muslims shot dead by Atheist || #muslimlivesmatter - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-10 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech in the 21st Century - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Katy Perry Garbage Music Industry Selling Image - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- USA Freedom of Speech and Jesus Christ - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [HD].... - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- France Arrests French Comedian Dieudonne 3 Days After Charlie Hebdo Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Zoophile Atheists Evolutionists Beastality Inter Species Sex - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Marijuana Causes Brain Damage - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo's "Freedom of Speech" - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- John Robertson on Greg Shapiro's United States of Europe - S3Ep01 - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech - The GameOverGreggy Show Ep. 61 (Pt. 3) - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Charlie Hebdo, Zero Tolerance, and Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- The Illuminati: The Freedom of Speech 2015 Conspiracy - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin 2015 - Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom Of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up - Eddie Griffin 2015 [HD] - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Charles Darwin Racist Hallucinating Junkie Who Thought He Was A Monkey - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Muslims oppose insult to Islam in the name of freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech.. - Video [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2015]
- Policy update restricts demonstrations [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Italian senators pass bill criminalizing denial of genocides [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Thousands of Muslims protest freedom of speech outside Downing street - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD - Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech [Standing Up] - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD.. (Best Comedians) - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Ali Belhadj Following Paris Attacks: France Cannot Give Us a Lesson in Freedom of Speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- RE: HannibalTheVictor13's resentment over thunderf00t and his "freedom of speech". - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Did God Make Atheists For Hell? - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech, Dastak Ep158 - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- Mamata advocates for freedom of speech - Video [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2015]
- One dead after shots fired at Copenhagen freedom of speech meeting [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 1 dead in shooting at Copenhagen free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots Fired at Copenhagen Free Speech Event: Reports [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagen cafe free speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- One man dead and three policemen wounded at freedom of speech seminar in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Copenhagen caf: two gunmen in terror attack at freedom of speech event [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Michael Buerk Interview - Freedom of Speech & Paris Attacks - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- 'Freedom Of Speech' Topic Tuesday #12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech != Freedom of Forum - Video [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2015]
- Danish police kill man suspected of Saturday's attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Political expression isnt criminal: group [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen police kill suspect linked to two fatal attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen suspect known to police [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Free Speech Debate Still Alive After Attack in Denmark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Danish PM Defends Freedom of Speech After Attacks [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press - Lincoln University [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- freedom of speech...........Peter Caine /Brooklyn Dog training/NYC dog training - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Deadly attack at free speech meeting with cartoonist who depicted Muh - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- We Need To Defend Our Freedom of Speech or We'll Lose It. - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Shots fired at Copenhagens Krudttoenden cafe free speech event a report - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of Speech: For Whom, to Say What? - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Media Studies 104A - 2015-02-12 - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Comedians] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- WallBuilders Live 2015-02-11 Wednesday - Freedom of Speech on College Campuses - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Feminist Aborted Her Son Because He was a Boy - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - Science News - Atheist Animal Sacrifices and Torture - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Yisrael Beytenu at Charlie Hebdo freedom of speech protest - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- GodTVRadio Show - Freedom of Speech - American Poll - Atheists Can't Be Trusted - Video [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech, but... SHOTS - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Muslims Killing Atheists! - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- AP Top Stories February 14 P - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full [Best Comedians] ---- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full HD [Stand Up Live] --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Stand Up Full Show HD --- - Video [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2015]
- Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson to Receive Freedom of Speech Award [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Letters to the editor: We must do more to stop terrorists [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Stand Up Freedom of Speech Best Comedy Show--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Freedom Of Speech Naam Ki Koi Chiz Hoti Hai - Alia Bhatt On AIB Controversy - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Copenhagen Shooting: Valentine's Day Shooting At Copenhagen Free Speech Event (VIDEO) - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Denmark: Police launch manhunt for Copenhagen cafe shooter - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Eddie Griffin Freedom of Speech - Eddie Griffin Best Stand Up Full HD--- - Video [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2015]
- Greenpeace activist refutes govt charge of being anti-national [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Two minutes for heckling [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed Al Jazeera journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Fan claims municipal police violating freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Jailed journalist concerned about freedom of speech [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- Freedom of speech denied outside of Skillet concert Pittsburgh - Video [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]