FTA:

An Oklahoma Republican senator filed legislation Wednesday to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during an appearance at Utah Valley University last week.

Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee), chair of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, filed three pieces of legislation honoring Kirk.

A proposed bill would establish Kirk's birthday, Oct. 14, as "Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day." Another bill would require a memorial for Kirk on public college campuses, and a resolution would officially honor the conservative activist in the Legislature.

Senate Bill 1187 would require each public university to designate and develop a memorial square or plaza at its main campus in Kirk's honor. The bill states the plaza must be in a highly visible and easily accessible location to "maximize public awareness and utilization."

The bill states that if any student, employee or faculty member vandalizes the plaza, they would be terminated from enrollment or employment and fined for the cost of the damage.

The bill would authorize institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to accept donations from the National Endowment for the Arts and any private, corporate or public source to fund the plazas and statues. The Legislature may appropriate donation-matching funds to encourage support for the plazas.