State Legislation to Watch in 2026

From improving civic education to protecting free expression to strengthening college governance, state policymakers are challenging the status quo to restore the promise of higher education. Below are several bills that legislatures have already introduced this year to generate better outcomes for students at colleges and universities across America. ACTA’s policy experts submitted testimony in support of each of these common-sense measures.

Maryland: In late March, ACTA testified in support of House Bill 1322, the Maryland Campus Area Free Expression Act. The act would ban restrictive free speech zones and ensure permits and security fees for campus events are assessed by “clear, published, content- and viewpoint-neutral criteria.”

Tennessee: Also in March, ACTA traveled to Tennessee to testify in support of House Bill 291. This bill would improve civic education across the state by requiring all undergraduate students at public institutions to take a three-credit-hour course in American history.

Oklahoma: In February, ACTA submitted testimony in support of Senate Bill 1725, which would protect free speech on public college and university campuses by mandating that all security fees must be levied in a content-neutral manner. ACTA also submitted testimony on the House’s companion measure, House Bill 3129.

South Carolina: In January, ACTA testified on two measures, House Bills 4736 and 4737, which would require new members of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and trustees at public institutions to undergo comprehensive orientation and training programs. House Bill 4737 is based on ACTA’s model policy, the “Informed Trustee Act.”