SB 1741 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Education, Higher - As enacted, enacts the "Charlie Kirk Act." - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 1741, the "Charlie Kirk Act," requires Tennessee's public universities to adopt and post two specific statements on their websites. First, it mandates that each institution incorporate the University of Chicago's free expression policy into its bylaws, including its core principles about protecting debate even when ideas are offensive. Second, it requires adoption of the 1967 University of Chicago Kalven Report on universities' role in political action, emphasizing that institutions should not take collective political positions. The bill applies directly to all public higher education institutions in Tennessee and imposes legal remedies (like injunctions) for noncompliance.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
12
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 27, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1017)
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 74, Nays 22, PNV 0
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0794)
lower
Mar 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reset on Final calendar of Senate Education Committee
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Paul Rose
Paul Rose
RRepublican
TN
32