Bill to create 'Charlie Kirk Memorial Courtyards' at Tennessee campuses sent to summer study amid name and cost dispute

Representative Fritz described House Bill 20‑25 as a proposal to require a dedicated 'Charlie Kirk Memorial Courtyard for civil debate' at 47 publicly funded higher‑education locations across Tennessee — including the UT campuses, state universities, community colleges and TCATs. The bill specifies a 40-by-40-foot (or equivalent) site and requires displays of multiple founding documents on different sides of the courtyard. Fritz described the measure as an investment in civil engagement but acknowledged a fiscal note estimating roughly $18,000,000 in total cost, an average of about $385,000 per site.

"We have an approximate $18,000,000 cost to place 4 posts and 4 signs at 47 institutions," Representative Fritz said, repeating the fiscal note figure and calling the estimate troubling. A student and former Turning Point chapter leader, Lakey Derek, testified in favor of the bill and described personal experiences on campus she said the measure would address. "Charlie Kirk's life and death and legacy deserves to be remembered," Derek said, urging a yes vote.

Several committee members raised concerns about requiring a particular name for the sites and questioned the fiscal estimate; Representative Glenn suggested calling the sites generically a "Courtyard for Civil Debate" so campuses that object to a proper name could still adopt the policy. Representative Haston moved to send the bill to summer study to allow more work on cost estimates and naming; the committee voted 6–0 to refer HB 20‑25 to summer study.