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Rep. Renault’s civics video bill, amended to delegate approval to Textbook Commission, moves forward
Summary
House Bill 23 95, as amended, would require approved civics instructional videos to be historically accurate and free of political advocacy and delegates approval authority from the State Board of Education to the Textbook Commission; the subcommittee adopted the amendment and sent the bill to full education 5–1.
Representative Renault introduced House Bill 23 95 and the committee adopted a timely amendment that re‑delegates responsibility for recommending or approving video instruction from the State Board of Education to the Textbook Commission.
Renault said the measure is intended to give students an accurate historical view of the founders and their beliefs, not to promote religion. “This bill is going to ask that public school students in Tennessee will be exposed at least 2 times, once in middle school and once in high school to the foundational ideas that shaped our nation,” he said. The bill text requires any approved civics instructional video to be historically accurate, devoid of political advocacy, include information about the Declaration of Independence preamble and the founders’ religious affiliations or moral beliefs.
During questions the sponsor named two organizations that produce civic videos (WallBuilders and Prager University) as potential sources the Textbook Commission could use. After discussion the committee voted 5 ayes and 1 no to advance HB2395, as amended, to the full education committee.
