The Georgia Senate approved legislation that aims to prohibit specific locations for students and others to speak on the state's public colleges and universities.
Senate Bill 318 is the latest attempt by Republicans in recent years to combat what they say has been harsh or unconstitutional treatment by campus officials and some students of speakers, particularly those with conservative viewpoints or representing faith-based organizations.
The legislation passed 32-21 on a party-line vote.
"This bill is protecting three things: what students can speak, where they speak and whom they speak with," said state Sen. William Ligon, the Brunswick Republican who sponsored the bill.
The bill would allow school officials to determine “reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions” for campus speakers. Schools found by a court to have violated the rules would be subject to a fine of at least $5,000.
State Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, amended the bill to allow athletic departments to enforce policies and discipline student athletes who don't follow the rules.
“This is, naturally, aimed directly at things such as kneeling during the national anthem, or wearing a swastika on the sleeve of your uniform, or wearing eye black like Tim Tebow did with the ‘John 3:16’ — all of those exhibit elements of personal expression to the detriment of the team,” Cowsert said.
The legislation heads to the House for its consideration.
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