Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education, Select

Texas Senate Select Committee

A select committee established to examine civil discourse, free speech policies, and the state of academic freedom on Texas college and university campuses.

Committee Leadership

Chair Paul Bettencourt

Paul Bettencourt (R)

Senate District 7

Houston

Vice Chair Bryan Hughes

Bryan Hughes (R)

Senate District 1

Mineola

Committee Composition

Committee Size 7 Members
Republicans 5
Democrats 2
Committee Partisan Split 5R – 2D

Committee Membership

Committee Jurisdiction

The committee shall meet jointly with its House counterpart to study and issue reports on bias, discourse, and freedom of speech across Texas college campuses. Specifically, the committee shall:

  1. Ensure that publicly funded higher education institutions foster open dialogue and do not discriminate against students, faculty, or staff based on their beliefs;
  2. Identify ways to better protect the fundamental right of free speech on campuses, including measures to ensure that political gatherings and other campus events are safe and secure; and
  3. Examine the implementation of Senate Bill 37 and Senate Bill 2972 (89th Regular Session), especially as those reforms relate to the climate of discourse and freedom of speech on campus.

Committee Contact Information

Capitol Location Texas Capitol, 3E.16
Phone Number (512) 463-0107
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