Committee advances bill requiring a common American civics course at public universities

Leader Johnson told the committee SB 10‑77 would create a common three‑credit course in American history or government and require Tennessee public universities to include it as a degree requirement without adding total credit hours. The sponsor said the course would cover foundational documents and turning points — the Declaration of Independence, selections from the Federalist Papers, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." "This bill would address that gap by establishing a standardized course covering major documents and turning points in American history and government," Johnson said.

An amendment moved the effective date to the coming academic year to prevent conflicts with accreditation; the amendment passed by voice vote. Members asked whether the bill would be limited to the listed documents or include additional Supreme Court decisions; Johnson pointed to the bill text listing specified foundational documents but said institutions could build a course around them and broader context.

On a roll call the clerk recorded 9 ayes; SB 10‑77 moves to Finance for the budgetary and implementation work required to incorporate a systemwide required course.