The state has previously shown its commitment to the First Amendment through the passage of Senate Bill 18 (Huffman) during the 86th Legislative Session. However, since the October 7th, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel, there have been several aggressive protests on college campuses which have threatened the safety of students, public property and the mission of universities to provide a space for ideas to be shared peacefully. TCCRI’s testimony to the Senate Committee on Higher Education discusses how Texas’ response to these events balanced free-speech concerns with a commitment to law and order. The entire submitted testimony can be read here.