Senate advances civics education bill after removing USCIS naturalization‑test requirement
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Summary
The Senate Finance Committee adopted a committee substitute for SB 23 that removes a mandate tying a school civics assessment to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test and sets an effective date of July 1, 2027; sponsor Gary Stevens described the bill as focused on "creating citizens."
The committee considered Senate Bill 23 (civics education) on March 3. Committee staff explained that the adopted committee substitute—requested by the bill sponsor—removes the requirement that a civics assessment be partly based on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test, thereby broadening the materials school districts may draw from when creating a civics assessment. The CS also updates the effective date to July 1, 2027.
Sponsor Gary Stevens said the bill is about "creating citizens," invoked historical context and framed the substitute as a narrower, cost‑sensitive approach that would draw from freely available resources for districts. Senator Kaufman emphasized that the goal is informed, educated voters.
The committee adopted the substitute with no objection and Senator Stedman moved the CS from committee with attached physical notes and individual recommendations; the bill will be sent to the Rules Committee for further action.
The committee record does not include the full text of the new assessment language or district implementation details; the committee report will carry the official substitute language and fiscal notes.