AUSTIN, Texas (KXXV) — Texas legislative leaders have formed a bipartisan committee to address free speech and civil discourse on college campuses following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

The Joint Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education held its first hearing Thursday, led by Senate Chair Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and House Chair Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows established the committee after Kirk's death on Sept. 10.

"Political assassination cannot be condoned in this country, period," Bettencourt said during the hearing. "What we're doing here today is about finding common ground and standing firm that political violence and intimidation have no place in Texas."

Wilson s

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