Legislative Recap: Free Speech and the First Amendment in Tennessee

Freedom of speech is not a partisan issue. It is the foundation of every other right we have. Without it, we cannot worship freely, govern ourselves, hold our elected officials accountable, or pass our values to the next generation. This session, Tennessee took meaningful action to defend it.

HB 1476 protects free speech on college campuses across Tennessee. For too long, public universities have allowed certain viewpoints to be silenced, threatened, or punished while others received institutional protection. HB 1476 makes clear that the First Amendment does not stop at the campus gate. Students, faculty, and visiting speakers have the right to express their views without fear of viewpoint-based censorship by institutions that taxpayers fund.

We also expanded protections for religious speech and worship through HB 2309. The bill creates a Class A misdemeanor for intentionally interfering with or intimidating individuals during a religious service and elevates the penalty for intentionally damaging or destroying property of a house of worship to a Class E felony for a first offense and a Class C felony for any subsequent offense. Houses of worship and individuals can now file civil lawsuits for damages and injunctive relief, and the Attorney General is authorized to seek civil penalties for violations. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples have all faced rising acts of vandalism and intimidation in recent years. Tennessee just made absolutely clear that these acts will be treated for what they are: attacks on the First Amendment.

I will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and the protection of individuals' rights in the digital age, including pushing back against Big Tech censorship of lawful speech. The freedom to speak, worship, and assemble is not granted by the government. It is recognized by the government and defended by elected officials who understand what is at stake.

The First Amendment was the first one written for a reason. Everything else we cherish depends on it.