Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 14 R · 11 D · 3 I cosponsors

SB 23 — An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 7/1/27

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (Republican) on June 19, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 29 sponsors

    1 primary, 28 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (14 R · 11 D · 3 I) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill updates civics education and assessment requirements for high school graduation.

This bill focuses on enhancing civics education in schools and sets new civics assessment standards for graduating students. These changes aim to ensure that students are better informed about civic responsibilities and rights.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

89 added · 99 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 23 modifies how civics education is implemented in Alaska schools. Instead of the state board developing a standardized curriculum and assessments, it will now provide a list of open educational resources that school districts can use for teaching civics. This change matters because it gives schools more flexibility in choosing their instructional materials while ensuring they still have access to quality resources on U.S. government history and principles.

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34-LS0259\I SENATE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
23 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY SENATORS STEVENS, Gray-Jackson, Tobin, Kaufman, Tilton, Claman, Stedman, Rauscher, Giessel, Cronk, Kawasaki, Wielechowski, Yundt Introduced:
HCS CSSB 23(EDC) _______ AN ACT Relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements;
1/22/25 Referred:
and providing for an effective date.
Education, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements;
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and providing for an effective date." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled SB 23 AN ACT Relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements;
* Section 1.
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ * Section 1.
Comparative government and civics curriculum and assessments requirement.
Comparative government and civics education and assessments requirement.
(a) The board shall develop and periodically review a statewide comparative government and civics education curriculum, civics assessment, and civics project-based assessment.
(a) The board shall make available on the department's Internet website and periodically update a list of open educational resources relating to comparative government and civics education curricula, civics assessments, and civics project-based assessments.
The civics assessment must be composed of 100 questions drawn from those set out in the civics portion of the naturalization examination used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security.
A school district may use the list provided by the board to instruct students in comparative government and civics.
A school district may use the curriculum developed by the board to educate students in comparative government and civics.
(b) The list provided under (a) of this section must include resources about instruction on (1) the founding history of the United States, including foundational documents and the principles of government of the United States;
(b) The curriculum developed under (a) of this section must include SB0023A -1- SB 23 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0259\I instruction on (1) the founding history of the United States, including foundational documents and the principles of government of the United States;
(2) federalism, including the role and operations of local, state, and -1- Enrolled SB 23 national governments;
(2) federalism, including the role and operations of local, state, and national governments;
(c) A school may not issue a secondary school diploma to a student unless the student (1) has completed one semester of a comparative government and civics education course that includes instruction on the topics listed in (b) of this section;
(c) A school may not issue a secondary school diploma to a student unless the student has received instruction on the topics listed in (b) of this section and the student has (1) completed one semester of a comparative government and civics education course and achieved a passing score in the course;
(2) has achieved a passing score on the civics assessment developed under (a) of this section;
(2) achieved a passing score on a civics assessment;
(3) provides the governing body with evidence that the student has achieved a passing score on a test similar to the civics assessment developed under (a) of this section within the previous five years;
or (3) achieved a passing score on a civics project-based assessment.
SB 23 -2- SB0023A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0259\I (4) has achieved a passing score on a civics project-based assessment developed under (a) of this section;
(d) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, a school may issue a secondary school diploma to a student who has not met the requirements of (c) of this section if the student provides the governing body with evidence that the student (1) transferred into a public school in the state after completing grade 10 at a school in another state;
(5) provides the governing body with evidence that the student has achieved a passing score on a civics project-based assessment similar to the civics project-based assessment developed under (a) of this section while in high school;
(2) has, either within the previous five years or from a secondary school in another state, received instruction on the subjects listed in (b) of this section Enrolled SB 23 -2- and achieved a passing score in a one-semester course or on a civics assessment or civics project-based assessment that is similar to the course or assessments described in (c) of this section;
or (6) is a student with a disability who receives a waiver from the governing body.
or (3) is a student with a disability who receives a waiver from the governing body.
(d) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, a school may issue a secondary school diploma to a student who has not met the requirements of (c) of this section if the student transferred into a state public school after completing grade 10 or has already successfully completed a high school state history course from another state.
(e) If a student has achieved a passing score as required under (c) of this section, the school shall document on the student's transcript that the student achieved a passing score.
(e) If a student has achieved a passing score on the civics assessment developed under (a) of this section, the school shall document on the student's transcript that the student achieved a passing score.
A student may retake the assessment required under (c)(2) of this section as needed to achieve a passing score.
A student may retake the assessment as needed to achieve a passing score.
(g) A school district shall allow a student to fulfill the requirements of (c) of this section by taking a comparative government and civics education course that includes instruction on the topics listed in (b) of this section.
(g) In this section, (1) "open educational resource" means learning, teaching, or research material in any format that resides in the public domain or is under copyright and has been released under an open license that permits access at no cost as well as reuse, repurpose, adaptation, and redistribution by others;
A school district may allow a student to fulfill the requirements of (c) of this section by achieving a passing score on a civics assessment or civics project-based assessment.
(2) "passing score" means a student achieves a grade of 70 percent or higher in a one-semester course, correctly answers 70 percent or more of the questions on a civics assessment, or achieves a score of 70 percent or higher on a civics project- based assessment.
(h) In this section, "passing score" means a student correctly answers 70 percent or more of the questions on a civics assessment or receives a score of 70 percent or higher on a civics project-based assessment.
TRANSITION:
APPLICABILITY:
The requirement that a school only issue a secondary school diploma to a student who has met the requirements set out in SB0023A -3- SB 23 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0259\I AS 14.03.076(c), enacted by sec.
The requirement that a school issue a secondary school diploma only to a student who has met the requirements set out in AS 14.03.076(c), enacted by sec.
1 of this Act, applies to students who enter grade nine on or after July 1, 2026.
1 of this Act, applies to students who enter grade nine on or after July 1, 2027.
This Act takes effect July 1, 2026.
This Act takes effect July 1, 2027.
SB 23 -4- SB0023A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
-3- Enrolled SB 23
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How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new civics education requirements for secondary school students in Alaska, including specific instructional content and assessments for diploma issuance.

  • AS 14.03

    Sec. 14.03.076. Comparative government and civics education and assessments requirement. (a) The board shall make available on the department's Internet website and periodically update a list of open educational resources relating to comparative government and civics education curricula, civics assessments, and civics project-based assessments. A school district may use the list provided by the board to instruct students in comparative government and civics. (b) The list provided under (a) of this section must include resources about instruction on (1) the founding history of the United States, including foundational documents and the principles of government of the United States; (2) federalism, including the role and operations of local, state, and national governments; (3) the institutions of the United States government, including the responsibilities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; (4) the rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship; (5) civil liberties and civil rights; (6) the Constitution of the State of Alaska and the Constitution of the United States; (7) political parties and interest groups; (8) campaigns and elections; (9) the United States Congress; (10) domestic policy; (11) foreign policy; (12) comparative systems of governments used globally and by Alaska Natives; (13) international relations; and (14) major issues facing local, state, and the United States governments. (c) A school may not issue a secondary school diploma to a student unless the student has received instruction on the topics listed in (b) of this section and the student has (1) completed one semester of a comparative government and civics education course and achieved a passing score in the course; (2) achieved a passing score on a civics assessment; or (3) achieved a passing score on a civics project-based assessment. (d) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, a school may issue a secondary school diploma to a student who has not met the requirements of (c) of this section if the student provides the governing body with evidence that the student (1) transferred into a public school in the state after completing grade 10 at a school in another state; (2) has, either within the previous five years or from a secondary school in another state, received instruction on the subjects listed in (b) of this section and achieved a passing score in a one-semester course or on a civics assessment or civics project-based assessment that is similar to the course or assessments described in (c) of this section; or (3) is a student with a disability who receives a waiver from the governing body. (e) If a student has achieved a passing score as required under (c) of this section, the school shall document on the student's transcript that the student achieved a passing score. A student may retake the assessment required under (c)(2) of this section as needed to achieve a passing score. (f) The department shall adopt regulations to recognize a student who has attained a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge, civic skills, a civic mindset, and civic experiences by affixing a seal of civic readiness on the student's school transcript and diploma. (g) In this section, (1) 'open educational resource' means learning, teaching, or research material in any format that resides in the public domain or is under copyright and has been released under an open license that permits access at no cost as well as reuse, repurpose, adaptation, and redistribution by others; (2) 'passing score' means a student achieves a grade of 70 percent or higher in a one-semester course, correctly answers 70 percent or more of the questions on a civics assessment, or achieves a score of 70 percent or higher on a civics project-based assessment.

    This new section introduces requirements for civics education resources and mandates civics education as a condition for high school graduation.

  • Uncodified law

    APPLICABILITY: GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. The requirement that a school issue a secondary school diploma only to a student who has met the requirements set out in AS 14.03.076(c), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, applies to students who enter grade nine on or after July 1, 2027.

    This provision specifies that the new graduation requirements will apply to students entering grade nine on or after a specific date.

  • Uncodified law

    This Act takes effect July 1, 2027.

    This establishes the effective date for the new civics education requirements.

Action History

  1. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 7/1/27

  2. (S) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/18 CH 18 SLA 26

  3. (S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 Transmitted to Governor

  4. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  5. (S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y20 N-

  6. (S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP

  7. (H) VERSION: HCS CSSB 23(EDC)

  8. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED

  9. (H) SCHRAGE, D.NELSON, FRIER, SADDLER

  10. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): DIBERT, MCCABE, ELAM, JOSEPHSON, HOLLAND, GALVIN, STUTES,

  11. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  12. (H) PASSED Y37 N3

  13. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS CSSB 23(EDC)

  14. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

  15. (H) AM NO 2 WITHDRAWN

  16. (H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING

  17. (H) NOT TAKEN UP 5/18 - ON 5/19 CALENDAR

  18. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): VANCE, GRAY, HALL

  19. (H) HELD IN SECOND READING TO 5/18 CALENDAR

  20. (H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING

  21. (H) AM NO 2 OFFERED AND PENDING

  22. (H) AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED

  23. (H) EDC HCS ADOPTED UC

  24. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  25. (H) MOVED TO BOTTOM OF CALENDAR

  26. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2026

  27. (H) Moved HCS CSSB 23(EDC) Out of Committee

  28. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  29. (H) FN3: (EED)

  30. (H) AM: ALLARD

  31. (H) NR: JIMMIE, TOMASZEWSKI, HANNAN, MOORE, BYNUM, STAPP

  32. (H) DP: GALVIN, SCHRAGE, JOSEPHSON, FOSTER

  33. (H) FIN RPT HCS(EDC) 4DP 6NR 1AM

  34. (H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  35. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  36. (H) Heard & Held

  37. (H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519

  38. (H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Please Note Time Change --

  39. (H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519

  40. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): STAPP

  41. (H) Moved HCS SB 23(EDC) Out of Committee

  42. (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106

  43. (H) FN3: (EED)

  44. (H) DP: SCHWANKE, ELAM, DIBERT, UNDERWOOD, EISCHEID, HIMSCHOOT, STORY

  45. (H) EDC RPT HCS(EDC) 7DP

  46. (H) Heard & Held

  47. (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106

  48. (H) Heard & Held

  49. (H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106

  50. (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): EISCHEID

  51. (H) EDC, FIN

  52. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  53. (S) VERSION: CSSB 23(FIN)

  54. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)

  55. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  56. (S) PASSED Y20 N-

  57. (S) HELD IN THIRD READING TO 3/9 CAL

  58. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 23(FIN)

  59. (S) CRONK, KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI, YUNDT

  60. (S) COSPONSOR(S): TOBIN, KAUFMAN, TILTON, CLAMAN, STEDMAN, RAUSCHER, GIESSEL,

  61. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/5 CAL

  62. (S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC

  63. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  64. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/4/2026

  65. (S) FN2: (EED)

  66. (S) NR: MERRICK, KIEHL

  67. (S) DP: OLSON, STEDMAN, HOFFMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK

  68. (S) FIN RPT CS 5DP 2NR SAME TITLE

  69. (S) Moved CSSB 23(FIN) Out of Committee

  70. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

  71. (S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --

  72. (S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532

  73. (S) FN1: INDETERMINATE(EED)

  74. (S) NR: BJORKMAN, KIEHL

  75. (S) DP: TOBIN, CRONK, STEVENS

  76. (S) EDC RPT 3DP 2NR

  77. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  78. (S) Moved SB 23 Out of Committee **Streamed live on AKL.tv**

  79. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  80. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  81. (S) Heard & Held

  82. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  83. (S) -- Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  84. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  85. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  86. (S) Heard & Held

  87. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  88. (S) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  89. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  90. (S) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON

  91. (S) EDC, FIN

  92. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  93. (S) Prefile released 1/10/25

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 28 co-sponsors · 36 not signed on · 3 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (28)

Not signed on (36)

36 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 36 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Shall the Senate Concur in the House Amendment(s) — to CSSB 23(FIN)? — Effective Date(s)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 11000
D 9000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading — Final Passage

Passed 37 Yea · 3 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 20000
D 11300
N 5000
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 37300
% of votes cast 93%8%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Steve St. Clair — Yea
Andi Story D Yea
Andrew Gray D Yea
Andy Josephson D Yea
Ashley Carrick D Yea
Carolyn Hall D Yea
Donna Mears D Nay
Genevieve Mina D Yea
Maxine Dibert D Yea
Neal Foster D Yea
Nellie Unangiq Jimmie D Nay
Robyn Niayuq Frier D Yea
Sara Hannan D Nay
Ted Eischeid D Yea
Zack Fields D Yea
Alyse Galvin N Yea
Bryce Edgmon N Yea
Calvin Schrage N Yea
Ky Holland N Yea
Rebecca Himschoot N Yea
Bill Elam R Yea
Chuck Kopp R Yea
Dan Saddler R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
David Nelson R Yea
DeLena Johnson R Yea
Elexie Moore R Yea
Frank Tomaszewski R Yea
Jamie Allard R Yea
Jeremy Bynum R Yea
Jubilee Underwood R Yea
Julie Coulombe R Yea
Justin Ruffridge R Yea
Kevin McCabe R Yea
Louise Stutes R Yea
Mia Costello R Yea
Mike Prax R Yea
Rebecca Schwanke R Yea
Sarah Vance R Yea
Will Stapp R Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading - Final Passage — Effective Date(s)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
R 11000
D 9000
Total 20000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (20)
Member Party Vote
Bill Wielechowski D Yea
Donald Olson D Yea
Elvi Gray-Jackson D Yea
Forrest Dunbar D Yea
Jesse Kiehl D Yea
Lyman Hoffman D Yea
Löki Tobin D Yea
Matt Claman D Yea
Scott Kawasaki D Yea
Bert Stedman R Yea
Cathy Giessel R Yea
Cathy Tilton R Yea
Gary Stevens R Yea
George Rauscher R Yea
James Kaufman R Yea
Jesse Bjorkman R Yea
Kelly Merrick R Yea
Mike Cronk R Yea
Robert Myers R Yea
Robert Yundt R Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 23?
SB 23 is sponsored by Dan Saddler (R), Robyn Niayuq Frier (D), D.Nelson, Calvin Schrage (N), Louise Stutes (R), Alyse Galvin (N), Ky Holland (N), Andy Josephson (D), Bill Elam (R), Kevin McCabe (R), Maxine Dibert (D), Carolyn Hall (D), Andrew Gray (D), Sarah Vance (R), Will Stapp (R), Ted Eischeid (D), Robert Yundt (R), Bill Wielechowski (D), Scott Kawasaki (D), Mike Cronk (R), Cathy Giessel (R), Bert Stedman (R), Matt Claman (D), James Kaufman (R), Löki Tobin (D), Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), Gary Stevens (R), George Rauscher (R), and Cathy Tilton (R).
What is the current status of SB 23?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 23?
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