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Representative Reintroduces Bill Requiring College Graduates to Pass Naturalization Civics Test
Summary
A bill that would require undergraduate students at New Hampshire public colleges and community colleges to pass the USCIS 128‑question civics naturalization test before receiving a degree drew support from its sponsor and operational caution from higher‑education officials.
Representative Mike Moffett reintroduced HB 112, a bill that would require students earning undergraduate degrees at New Hampshire public institutions to pass the 2020 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) civics naturalization test (128‑question version) at a 70% passing standard as a condition of graduation.
Moffett framed the bill as a complement to last term’s high‑school civics requirement (HB 320), arguing the test provides universal civic knowledge and strengthens graduates’ readiness for civic life. He said other states and private institutions have adopted similar requirements and that many students and parents support such accountability. The sponsor told the committee that the state Department of Education developed an online, multiple‑choice version for the high‑school law and that he expects colleges could use similar platforms to administer the exam.
University System and Community College System witnesses described operational concerns. They said the Department of Education’s version is multiple choice but that the federal naturalization interview is oral; implementing a secure, verified statewide mechanism to administer, proctor and record completion for large numbers of undergraduate students would require IT work, coordination with DOE vendor arrangements and staff time. The Community College System proposed two amendments: (1) apply the requirement to associate‑degree students only; and (2) allow a block exemption for graduates of New Hampshire high schools after a defined date (to avoid re‑testing cohorts who already met the high‑school requirement). Both systems asked the committee for time to develop a process and an updated fiscal note.
Committee members asked about exemptions for exchange students, foreign nationals, students already naturalized and transfer students. The sponsor said the current draft exempts foreign nationals and exchange students but that the text could be amended; he indicated he would accept drafting changes to limit the scope to undergraduates and to avoid unnecessarily penalizing certificate or short‑course students.
Ending: The committee requested an updated fiscal estimate and implementation plan from the higher‑education systems and DOE before further action.
