HELENA (AP) -- A bill aimed at introducing more conservative viewpoints into the state university system was killed by the House Thursday amid criticism it could be unconstitutional.

Rep. Roger Koopman, R-Bozeman, said his proposal was a reaction to a university system he views as hostile to conservative thought.

He claimed liberalism is favored on the state's campuses.

"Quite frankly, there is an ugly little secret out there that everyone is afraid of," Koopman said.

The measure was shot down, 57-43.

"This is an extremist bill, and one that is soundly rejected by the higher education community," said Rep. Margarett Campbell, D-Poplar.

The bill would have urged the state Board of Regents to seek diversity reports from campuses, with an interim committee reviewing the reports. It also stated "teachers should not take unfair advantage of students by indoctrinating them with the teachers' own opinions before the students have had an opportunity to examine other opinions."

Opponents worried it went too far, since the Montana Constitution states the Board of Regents has sole responsibility to manage the university system.

The bill is House Bill 525.