HB4420 - 104th General Assembly

COLLEGE PRESS ACT-PUBLIC MEDIA
Last Action
4/16/2026 - House: Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-036-000
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the College Campus Press Act. Defines "public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning". Provides that all public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the employees producing the media at the institution of higher learning. Provides that public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is not subject to prior review by public officials of the State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Allows an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court for violation of the Act by such State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that expression made by an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is neither expression of campus policy nor speech attributable to a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is immune from any lawsuit arising from expression actually made in public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Makes other changes.
Actions
Date Chamber Action
1/14/2026 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Sharon Chung
1/14/2026 House First Reading
1/14/2026 House Referred to Rules Committee
3/12/2026 House Assigned to Higher Education Committee
3/19/2026 House Do Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee; 011-000-000
3/20/2026 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/07/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
4/07/2026 House Second Reading - Short Debate
4/07/2026 House Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
4/16/2026 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-036-000