Bill Text: CA ACR76 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Freedom of speech: institutions of higher education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-09-06 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member V. Manuel PĂ©rez. [ACR76 Detail]
Download: California-2013-ACR76-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Freedom of speech: institutions of higher education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-09-06 - Ordered to inactive file at the request of Assembly Member V. Manuel PĂ©rez. [ACR76 Detail]
Download: California-2013-ACR76-Introduced.html
BILL NUMBER: ACR 76 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Lowenthal (Coauthor: Senator Monning) AUGUST 15, 2013 Relative to freedom of speech at institutions of higher education. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 76, as introduced, Lowenthal. Freedom of speech: institutions of higher education. This measure would recognize the importance of the right of freedom of speech, would condemn biased, hurtful, and dangerous speech intended to stoke fear and intimidation in its listeners, and would encourage public postsecondary educational institutions to ensure that they provide a safe, encouraging environment for exercising the right of freedom of speech. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, The people of the United States enjoy a long history of the right to freedom of speech and the ability to engage in vigorous political debate, and nowhere is this better exhibited than in California; and WHEREAS, Free speech is the cornerstone of American culture and the American political system, and it is therefore no coincidence that this freedom is enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I of the California Constitution; and WHEREAS, California's college campuses are forums for the sharing and discussion of diverse and sometimes competing ideas and opinions, and they provide an ideal setting for interactions among diverse student populations of differing identities, heritages, and persuasions; and WHEREAS, Of all environments, college campuses should be safe harbors for fair and reasoned debate that invites the views and voices of all Americans, including conservatives and liberals alike, people of faith and nonbelievers alike, or any other combination of people whose ideas may differ, but who can and will respect each other's constitutional right to free speech; and WHEREAS, Speech critical of an idea or opinion does not always equate to criticism of the individual, just as speech that condemns a government policy does not implicitly condemn a government's citizenry, nor is speech critical of a religious organization inherently critical of a faith or its followers; and WHEREAS, Unfortunately, college campuses are also sometimes home to some of the most vitriolic speech directed at individuals; and WHEREAS, Freedom of speech sometimes requires that society tolerate the intolerant, but not without limitation; and WHEREAS, A positive response to intolerance is for fair-minded, decent men and women of all political persuasions to exercise their own constitutionally protected right to free speech to condemn biased, hurtful, and dangerous speech that is intended to stoke fear and intimidation in its listeners; and WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon students, professors, administrators, and other school officials at all campuses across the state to create a safe and enriching learning environment for all students that protects and encourages an individual's right to free speech; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the supreme importance of the right to freedom of speech and its rightful place on college campuses as a mechanism for the sharing and discussion of diverse ideas and opinions, including those that challenge a person to consider the merits of his or her own positions; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature hereby condemns biased, hurtful, and dangerous speech intended to stoke fear and intimidation in its listeners; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages public postsecondary institutions to ensure that they provide a safe, encouraging environment for exercising the right to freedom of speech and for the vibrant discussion of ideas and opinions from people of all walks of life; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.