“It saddens me,” state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, said, to think about what the result might’ve been “if this was in place sooner' before conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was killed at a Utah campus last fall.
Utah lawmaker proposes rules for universities she says might have ‘prevented disaster’ with Charlie Kirk Sen. Kathleen Riebe , D-Cottonwood Heights, wants outside organizations to provide insurance for large events.
Universities, she said, should have to conduct threat assessments. People react after Charlie Kirk is shot during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025., they could have “prevented a disaster.” She wants the state’s public colleges to be required to do basic security assessments ahead of large events. There is nothing in Utah law directing that kind of preparation or review of threats, even for speakers known to be contentious. Riebe wants to change that., is set to be debated during the legislative session that started Tuesday. It is one of the first to be made public that was spurred, at least in part, by Kirk’s death at Riebe said she was also prompted by tragedies at other major events in Utah, including the accidental shooting death of a bystander at a “No Kings” rally this summer after. The senator also described personally facing threats after speaking at a Planned Parenthood event. Her concern, she said, has continued to grow. “One of the responses on social media was: ‘Why am I gonna go out and attack people randomly when I can just attack a whole bunch of people that are gathered for something I don’t like?’” Riebe recalled about the Planned Parenthood event. “That was really alarming.” The senator added: “I just recognize how dangerous it is for us to have these things happening at our universities. … There should be some guidelines here.” Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, converses outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.It would also add significant requirements for an outside organization wanting to use campus space, such as when Kirk appeared at UVU with the group he founded,Any outside group would be required to have insurance coverage to cover any costs for property damage or personal injury claims if a disruption or attack occurs — instead of the state being liable. And they could be asked to contribute to security costs, up to $50,000, that a university assumes for providing policing for an event.to study what could be done better at the state’s public colleges and universities after the Kirk shooting. AndRiebe said USHE officials told her they were already considering threat assessments, but the insurance part is particularly important to her. And she intends to keep the bill file open until she sees more from USHE. USHE Commissioner Geoff Landward said he is grateful to Riebe and other legislators who are “focused on campus safety and willing to engage on meaningful solutions.” He also mentioned the task force and said he hopes its recommendations will “be the basis for thoughtful, effective legislation moving forward.” Riebe said she would consider shifting SB95 to position the state to possibly sue Turning Point USA for not providing more security for the event. Staff at the organization have spoken openly about how they knew Kirk’s events were getting more and more risky“This shouldn’t be the money our state is spending for the lack of responsibility Kirk was taking,” Riebe said. Turning Point USA has previously said it had eight private security staff at the UVU event. In a later interview, Members of law enforcement canvass Utah Valley University in Orem where conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at campus on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.Robinson has since been charged with Kirk’s death. The required threat assessments in Riebe’s bill would create a set process before any event to better understand the size and scope,A college or university in the state would need to work with the Utah Department of Public Safety to conduct a review within 10 days of receiving an event request for a public speaker. Those requests could come from student clubs, departments on campus or outside organizations.• A “credible threat assessment” looking at any documented threats against the speaker or sponsoring entity, including a review of social media posts and responses. • A historical event analysis examining past events involving the speaker at other venues where there might have been protests or a “pattern of escalating tensions.” • A catalog of the event characteristics, including size, duration, venue capacity, public accessibility and expected attendance.Riebe then creates five classifications for events. A level one event has “minimal risk” and “no identified security concerns.” A level three would be “moderate risk,” prompting enhanced security planning. And a level five is “severe risk” with critical security needs. Level three is where Riebe starts prescribing in the bill the police staffing required. For those events, there is a minimum of two uniformed officers and controlled attendance screening, such as requiring ticketing. Level four requires a minimum of four uniformed officers, a metal detector at entry points and coordination with the local police department outside the university. Level five mandates a comprehensive security plan, multi-agency coordination, pre-registration of attendees and “elevated surveillance positions if the venue permits.” Depending on each level, too, an outside organization that wants to host the event could be asked to cover some of the security costs, up to $50,000 for a level five event. There are some exceptions for those fees, including when a group cannot afford it. The insurance coverage is also tied to the levels. An outside organization would need a policy covering up to $5 million in liability for a level five event. Proof of insurance would be required five days before the event. A university or college also has more latitude to cancel or postpone an event under SB95, if there are “imminent threats.” Schools will be required to report annually on their events to USHE, which will present a final report to the Legislature.Objecting to any ‘undue delay,’ Erika Kirk wants a ‘speedy trial’ for her husband’s accused killer ‘I heard that bullet’: Charlie Kirk’s security chief recounts the fatal shooting and what happened nextNo controversial topics, no EMS: Here’s what UVU’s Turning Point club outlined in its request to host Charlie KirkUtah Valley University wants to boost its police force by a third after Charlie Kirk’s killing. Safety experts say it’s not enough.
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