Texas Senate Bill 2972 – “Campus Protection Act”

Summary

In June 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2972, known as the “Campus Protection Act,” which introduced strict new regulations on protests and expressive activities at public universities across the state. The bill required universities to designate specific “public forum” areas for speech and limited expressive activities between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. It also banned camping on campus, prohibited wearing masks or disguises during protests, and restricted the use of sound amplification during class hours and the final two weeks of the semester. The law empowered university officials to regulate the time, place, and manner of demonstrations, including requiring protesters to show identification upon request.

Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law on June 20, 2025, with the legislation set to take effect on September 1. Supporters argued the law was necessary “to protect campus safety and prevent disruptions,” framing it as a measure to ensure “orderly expression” and maintain a safe learning environment. The bill followed a series of high-profile pro-Palestinian protests on Texas campuses in 2024, which raised concerns among lawmakers and university administrators.

Critics, including the ACLU of Texas and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), condemned the law as an attack on First Amendment rights. They warned that the vague language gave university administrators excessive power to suppress peaceful protests and limit free speech. The ACLU called it “a significant step backward for free speech on college campuses,” emphasizing that the bill’s restrictions could silence dissenting voices and chill expressive activity.