Public agencies would follow strict rules when limiting speech in venues

State agencies and local governments may set rules for when, where, and how people speak in these venues. A forum is publicly owned property opened for speech by certain groups or on certain topics, such as civic centers and public event spaces. School facilities are covered when their public use does not interfere with school purposes and they qualify as such forums. Rules must serve a compelling public interest, be narrowly tailored, use the least restrictive means, and be viewpoint neutral. Officials may limit topics or speaker groups to fit the venue’s purpose, but cannot exclude religious or political group speech that fits that purpose, including fundraising, or speech solely because of its religious or political viewpoint. If enacted, the rules would take effect July 1, 2026.