Scope: State (Texas)
Branch: Executive
Severity: Amber
Date occurred: March 27, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott signed Executive Order GA-44 on March 27, 2024, directing Texas public institutions of higher education to review and update their free speech policies to address antisemitism. The order instructs institutions to include a definition of antisemitism in their policies, establish disciplinary consequences for violations, and ensure enforcement by university governing boards.
Constitutional basis: Governor directs public universities to adopt speech definitions and disciplinary rules, stretching executive authority against the Texas Bill of Rights' free-speech guarantee.