If not, the bill proposes to curb the provision of state funding to the institutions.
Video: Marion County Commission praises Charlie Kirk
The Marion County Commission declares October 14, 2025 as Charlie Kirk Memorial Day
- A Republican Florida lawmaker has introduced a bill that will rename roads at all public state universities and college campuses, in honor of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
- The proposed bill will injunctively halt state funding for institutions that do not accept name changes within 90 days.
- Turning Point USA founder Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10th while speaking at an event in Utah.
A Republican state lawmaker in Florida has introduced a bill calling for all public state universities to change the name of one road on campus after murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
And if not, the bill proposes withholding “national funds” to each institution.
State Rep. Kevin Steele (R-Dade) introduced the bill (HB 113) to the Florida House of Representatives on October 7th. There are no companions in the Senate yet. Steele could not be reached for comment.
If this bill is passed, “the board of trustees of each agency will redesignate the following roads or portions of the roads, if applicable.”
Next, list each road to rename.
- The University of South Florida shall redesign the USF Alumni Drive as the Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- The University of Central Florida shall redesign Gemini Boulevard South as Charlie James Kirk Boulevard.
- Florida State University shall redesign Chieften Way as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- Florida University of Agricultural Machinery shall redesign West Osceola Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Florida Atlantic University shall redesign University Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Florida Gulf Coast University shall redesign FGCU Boulevard as Charlie James Kirk Boulevard.
- Florida International University shall redesign Southwest 17th Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Florida Institute of Technology shall redesignate the Polytechnic Circle as the Charlie James Kirk Circle.
- The new University of Florida shall redesign College Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- The University of Florida shall redesign Stadium Road as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- The University of North Florida shall redesignate UNF Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- The University of West Florida shall redesignate Campus Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Broward University shall redesign College Avenue as Charlie James Kirk Avenue.
- Chipola University shall redesign College Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- The University of Central Florida shall redesign Southwest 26th Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Daytona State University shall redesignate Pinecrest Avenue as Charlie James Kirk Avenue.
- East Florida State University shall redesign Titan Boulevard as Charlie James Kirk Boulevard.
- Florida Gateway College shall redesign Southeast College Place as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Florida Keys University shall redesign College Road as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- Southwestern State, Florida, shall redesignate FSW Parkway as Charlie James Kirk Parkway.
- Florida State University in Jacksonville shall redesignate Broad Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Gulf Coast State University shall redesign College Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Hillsboro University shall redesign West Tampa Bay Boulevard from Air Cargo Road to Northdale Mavley as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Indian River State University shall redesign Cross Campus Road as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- Lake Sumter State University shall redesign College Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Miami-Dade College shall redesignate Northeast First Avenue as Charlie James Kirk Avenue.
- North Florida College shall redesign the Mockingbird Trail as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Northwest Florida State shall redesign McCracken Way as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Palm Beach State University shall redesignate Arcee Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Pasco Hernando State University shall redesignate Mrs. Pramira Musnur Health and Wellness Trail as the Charlie James Kirk Trail.
- Pensacola State University shall redesign College Boulevard as Charlie James Kirk Boulevard.
- Polk State shall redesignate PSC Access Road as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- St. John’s River State University shall redesign Peoria Cemetery Road as Charlie James Kirk Road.
- St. Petersburg University shall redesign 5th Avenue North as Charlie James Kirk Avenue.
- The University of Santa Fe will redesign Northwest 83 Street as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- Seminole State, Florida, shall redesign College Drive as Charlie James Kirk Street.
- South Florida State University shall redesign College Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- Florida State University Manatee Sarasota will redesign W. 57th Avenue to Charlie James Kirk Avenue.
- Tallahassee State University shall redesign Progress Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
- The University of Valencia shall redesign Valencia College Drive as Charlie James Kirk Drive.
“Within 90 days from the effective date of this Act, state funds shall be seized from the State University or Florida College System Agency that did not redesignate the roads or portions of the roads listed above by the Board of Trustees.” “This law will come into effect when it is passed.”
Steele was first elected in 2022. According to his online background, he is vice-chairman of the House Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee and serves on the hospital’s Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the Special Committee on Property Taxes.
This week’s bill follows another Republican lawmaker who renamed “part of SR 985/SW 107th Avenue between 24th Street, South Wales and 90/South 8th Street in Miami-Dade County” to “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.”
State Rep. Juan Carlos Polas (R-Miami) introduced the bill (HB 33) on September 23rd, and on the same day, the Lake County Commission unanimously passed a change in the name of the Kirk district road. Records show that the measure was assigned to the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee.
Kirk was shot dead on September 10th while giving a speech at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The man was shot in the neck and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The 31-year-old was a well-known polarizing politician, including author, radio host and podcaster, but his candid criticism of what he called dangerous liberal thought made him an influential political force and was also a lightning rod.
He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18, and a grassroots student organization dedicated to conservative activities on free markets, limited government, and university and high school campuses. He patrols campuses around the country to discuss issues with students, often sparking protests.
In a tearful speech at a recent memorial service in Arizona, Kirk’s widow forgives the man accused of murder, saying that her husband wanted to “save the young man just like those who took his life.”
“I forgive him because it’s something that Christ did and Charlie does too,” said Erica Kirk, 36, of Glendale, Arizona, in response to a standing ovation. “The answer to hatred is not hatred; the answer we know from the gospel is love.”
To date, Florida has renamed the driveway section of other conservative icons, and has recently changed it to the late radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
The 2026 Parliament was convened on January 13th, and the committee meeting began this week.
This article includes previously published reports, including the USA TODAY and the USA TODAY NETWORK newspaper Daily Commercial. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida Capital Bureau. Please contact jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow us on Twitter/X. @Mimuro Shikafuru.
