WI Legislature Passes GOP-Led Measures Protecting Campus Speech

The legislation also would bar universities from designating “free speech zones” or requiring security fees that effectively limit expression. If an institution is found to violate the bill’s protections multiple times within a five-year period, it could trigger a freeze on tuition increases for two academic years.

Supporters say the bill is designed to ensure First Amendment rights on campus and prevent restrictions that can chill lawful expression, while opponents have raised questions about enforcement mechanisms and potential legal challenges.