SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1736

Political Activity at Public Institutions of Higher Education
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SPONSOR
Harrell
FILED BY
Gayle Harrell — District 31, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Ethics and Elections

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Political Activity at Public Institutions of Higher Education; Defining the term “public institution of higher education”; requiring such institutions to promote specified discussion and debates; requiring such institutions to take specified actions relating to candidates for public office; requiring certain persons or entities to obtain prior approval from such institutions before conducting specified political activities on campus, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bans partisan campaigning on public university campuses.

Public universities must now ban partisan campaigning, voter registration, and the use of institutional resources by candidates and political parties.

Students and staff face new restrictions on political activity, including bans on using university email or property for campaigns.

Universities must provide equal access to all candidates for debates and events, with oversight and reporting requirements imposed by state boards.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Prior Approval for Political Activities majors. 106.041(3)

AICreates a new legal requirement that specific political actors must obtain prior approval from the institution before engaging in on-campus political activities.

“must request and obtain prior approval from the institution before engaging in any on-campus conversations, debates, or political activities” bill text, line 57 →
§ 2 Prohibition on Partisan Voter Registration majors. 106.041(4)

AIProhibits candidates for public office from holding partisan voter registration events on campus or using institution property for campaign activities.

“strictly prohibited from holding partisan voter registration events on the campus of a public institution of higher education” bill text, line 69 →
§ 3 Equal Access Requirement for Candidates majors. 106.041(3)

AIRequires institutions to provide equitable access to all qualified candidates for the same office when a candidate requests to participate in a discussion or debate.

“shall provide equitable access to all qualified candidates for that same office” bill text, line 52 →
§ 4 Prohibition on Use of Institution Resources majors. 1004.0972(2)(e)

AIProhibits the use of institution-issued e-mails, property, and media for political campaigns, defining such use as fraud.

“constitutes fraud and is subject to state and federal law” bill text, line 131 →
§ 5 Mandatory Policy Establishment majors. 1004.0972(2)

AIRequires each public institution of higher education to establish specific policies for political activities on campus, including oversight and training.

“shall establish policies for political activities on the campus of the institution” bill text, line 91 →
§ 6 Prohibition on Employee Campaign Use of Resources majors. 1004.0972(4)

AIProhibits institution employees from using e-mail, offices, or working hours for campaign-related activities while performing professional duties.

“may not use e mail, offices, or time during working hours for campaign-related activities” bill text, line 195 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Ethics and Elections
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026
Referred to Ethics and Elections; Judiciary; Rules
1/9/2026
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 106.041
+328 / −0
s. 1004.0972
+1249 / −0