SB23 • 2026

CIVICS EDUCATION

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

Education Elections Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: SENATORS STEVENS, Gray-Jackson, Tobin, Kaufman, Tilton, Claman, Stedman, Rauscher, Giessel, Cronk, Kawasaki, Wielechowski, Yundt REPRESENTATIVES Eischeid, Stapp, Vance, Gray, Hall, Dibert, McCabe, Elam, Josephson, Holland, Galvin, Stutes, Schrage, D.Nelson, Frier, Saddler
Last action: 2026-06-19
Official status: CHAPTER 18 SLA 26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The specific regulations for awarding the 'seal of civic readiness' are not detailed in this bill; they will be adopted later by the department.

Alaska SB 23: New Civics Education and Graduation Rules

This law requires high school students in Alaska to complete a civics course or pass an assessment on government topics before they can graduate, starting with the class entering ninth grade after July 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

Requires the state board of education to create and update a list of free online resources for teaching civics and comparative government.
Mandates that students receive instruction on specific topics like U.S. history, federalism, civil rights, elections, and Alaska's constitution.
Makes passing one semester of a civics course or achieving a 70% score on a civics assessment required for high school graduation.
Allows schools to award a 'seal of civic readiness' on transcripts and diplomas to students who show high proficiency in civic knowledge, skills, mindset, and experiences.
Sets the effective date so these rules apply only to students entering ninth grade on or after July 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

Public school districts that may use state-provided resources for civics instruction.
High school students who need to meet new requirements to receive a diploma.
Students transferring from other states or those with disabilities, who may qualify for exceptions under specific conditions.

Terms To Know

Open educational resource: Learning materials that are free to use and can be shared, changed, or redistributed by others without cost.
Passing score: A grade of 70 percent or higher on a course, assessment, or project-based task required for graduation.
Seal of civic readiness: An official mark placed on a student's transcript and diploma showing they have high skills in civics knowledge, skills, mindset, and experiences.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not specify which exact textbooks or materials schools must use, only that the state will provide a list of options.
It is unclear how many students might qualify for waivers based on disabilities until school governing bodies make individual decisions.
The specific details of the 'civics project-based assessment' are not defined in this text and may depend on future regulations.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

AM 1

2729

AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED

Plain English: AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED 2729

The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

AM 2

2729

AM NO 2 OFFERED AND PENDING

Plain English: AM NO 2 OFFERED AND PENDING 2729

The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

Bill History

2026-06-19 3023
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 7/1/27
2026-06-19 3023
(S) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 6/18 CH 18 SLA 26
2026-06-04 2957
(S) 10:14 A.M. 6/1/26 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
2026-05-20 2816
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
2026-05-20 2815
(S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y20 N-
2026-05-20 2815
(S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP
2026-05-19 2956
(H) VERSION: HCS CSSB 23(EDC)
2026-05-19 2956
(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED
2026-05-19 2954
(H) SCHRAGE, D.NELSON, FRIER, SADDLER
2026-05-19 2954
(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): DIBERT, MCCABE, ELAM, JOSEPHSON, HOLLAND, GALVIN, STUTES,
2026-05-19 2910
(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
2026-05-19 2910
(H) PASSED Y37 N3
2026-05-19 2910
(H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS CSSB 23(EDC)
2026-05-19 2910
(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC
2026-05-19 2909
(H) AM NO 2 WITHDRAWN
2026-05-19 2909
(H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING
2026-05-18 2883
(H) NOT TAKEN UP 5/18 - ON 5/19 CALENDAR
2026-05-17 2751
(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): VANCE, GRAY, HALL
2026-05-17 2739
(H) HELD IN SECOND READING TO 5/18 CALENDAR
2026-05-17 2739
(H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING
2026-05-17 2729
(H) AM NO 2 OFFERED AND PENDING
2026-05-17 2729
(H) AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED
2026-05-17 2729
(H) EDC HCS ADOPTED UC
2026-05-17 2729
(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
2026-05-17 2695
(H) MOVED TO BOTTOM OF CALENDAR
2026-05-17 2695
(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2026
2026-05-16 Text
(H) Moved HCS CSSB 23(EDC) Out of Committee
2026-05-16 Text
(H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519
2026-05-16 2636
(H) FN3: (EED)
2026-05-16 2636
(H) AM: ALLARD
2026-05-16 2636
(H) NR: JIMMIE, TOMASZEWSKI, HANNAN, MOORE, BYNUM, STAPP
2026-05-16 2636
(H) DP: GALVIN, SCHRAGE, JOSEPHSON, FOSTER
2026-05-16 2636
(H) FIN RPT HCS(EDC) 4DP 6NR 1AM
2026-05-12 Text
(H) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
2026-05-12 Text
(H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519
2026-05-08 Text
(H) Heard & Held
2026-05-08 Text
(H) FINANCE at 01:30 PM ADAMS 519
2026-05-08 Text
(H) Scheduled but Not Heard -- Please Note Time Change --
2026-05-08 Text
(H) FINANCE at 09:00 AM ADAMS 519
2026-05-08 2463
(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): STAPP
2026-04-13 Text
(H) Moved HCS SB 23(EDC) Out of Committee
2026-04-13 Text
(H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106
2026-04-13 2137
(H) FN3: (EED)
2026-04-13 2137
(H) DP: SCHWANKE, ELAM, DIBERT, UNDERWOOD, EISCHEID, HIMSCHOOT, STORY
2026-04-13 2137
(H) EDC RPT HCS(EDC) 7DP
2026-04-01 Text
(H) Heard & Held
2026-04-01 Text
(H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106
2026-03-18 Text
(H) Heard & Held
2026-03-18 Text
(H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106
2026-03-11 1827
(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): EISCHEID
2026-03-11 1816
(H) EDC, FIN
2026-03-11 1816
(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
2026-03-09 1874
(S) VERSION: CSSB 23(FIN)
2026-03-09 1874
(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
2026-03-09 1872
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
2026-03-09 1872
(S) PASSED Y20 N-
2026-03-05 1846
(S) HELD IN THIRD READING TO 3/9 CAL
2026-03-05 1846
(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSSB 23(FIN)
2026-03-04 1834
(S) CRONK, KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI, YUNDT
2026-03-04 1834
(S) COSPONSOR(S): TOBIN, KAUFMAN, TILTON, CLAMAN, STEDMAN, RAUSCHER, GIESSEL,
2026-03-04 1831
(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/5 CAL
2026-03-04 1831
(S) FIN CS ADOPTED UC
2026-03-04 1830
(S) READ THE SECOND TIME
2026-03-04 1825
(S) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/4/2026
2026-03-04 1825
(S) FN2: (EED)
2026-03-04 1825
(S) NR: MERRICK, KIEHL
2026-03-04 1825
(S) DP: OLSON, STEDMAN, HOFFMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK
2026-03-04 1825
(S) FIN RPT CS 5DP 2NR SAME TITLE
2026-03-03 Text
(S) Moved CSSB 23(FIN) Out of Committee
2026-03-03 Text
(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
2026-02-11 Text
(S) Heard & Held -- Please Note Time Change --
2026-02-11 Text
(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
2025-02-28 381
(S) FN1: INDETERMINATE(EED)
2025-02-28 381
(S) NR: BJORKMAN, KIEHL
2025-02-28 381
(S) DP: TOBIN, CRONK, STEVENS
2025-02-28 381
(S) EDC RPT 3DP 2NR
2025-02-26 Min
(S) Minutes (SEDC)
2025-02-26 Text
(S) Moved SB 23 Out of Committee **Streamed live on AKL.tv**
2025-02-26 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2025-02-24 Min
(S) Minutes (SEDC)
2025-02-24 Text
(S) Heard & Held
2025-02-24 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2025-02-21 Text
(S) -- Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
2025-02-21 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2025-02-12 Min
(S) Minutes (SEDC)
2025-02-12 Text
(S) Heard & Held
2025-02-12 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2025-02-05 Text
(S) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
2025-02-05 Text
(S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
2025-01-24 74
(S) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON
2025-01-22 31
(S) EDC, FIN
2025-01-22 31
(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
2025-01-22 31
(S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Enrolled SB 23
LAWS OF ALASKA

2026

Source Chapter No.
HCS CSSB 23(EDC) _______

AN ACT

Relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation
requirements; and providing for an effective date.

_______________

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1

-1- Enrolled SB 23

AN ACT

Relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation 1
requirements; and providing for an effective date. 2
_______________ 3
* Section 1. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read: 4
Sec. 14.03.076. Comparative government and civics education and 5
assessments requirement. (a) The board shall make available on the department's 6
Internet website and periodically update a list of open educational resources relating to 7
comparative government and civics education curricula, civics assessments, and civics 8
project-based assessments. A school district may use the list provided by the board to 9
instruct students in comparative government and civics. 10
(b) The list provided under (a) of this section must include resources about 11
instruction on 12
(1) the founding history of the United States, including foundational 13
documents and the principles of government of the United States; 14
(2) federalism, including the role and operations of local, state, and 15

Enrolled SB 23 -2-
national governments; 1
(3) the institutions of the United States government, including the 2
responsibilities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; 3
(4) the rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship; 4
(5) civil liberties and civil rights; 5
(6) the Constitution of the State of Alaska and the Constitution of the 6
United States; 7
(7) political parties and interest groups; 8
(8) campaigns and elections; 9
(9) the United States Congress; 10
(10) domestic policy; 11
(11) foreign policy; 12
(12) comparative systems of governments used globally and by Alaska 13
Natives; 14
(13) international relations; and 15
(14) major issues facing local, state, and the United States 16
governments. 17
(c) A school may not issue a secondary school diploma to a student unless the 18
student has received instruction on the topics listed in (b) of this section and the 19
student has 20
(1) completed one semester of a comparative government and civics 21
education course and achieved a passing score in the course; 22
(2) achieved a passing score on a civics assessment; or 23
(3) achieved a passing score on a civics project-based assessment. 24
(d) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, a school may issue a secondary school 25
diploma to a student who has not met the requirements of (c) of this section if the 26
student provides the governing body with evidence that the student 27
(1) transferred into a public school in the state after completing grade 28
10 at a school in another state; 29
(2) has, either within the previous five years or from a secondary 30
school in another state, received instruction on the subjects listed in (b) of this section 31

-3- Enrolled SB 23
and achieved a passing score in a one-semester course or on a civics assessment or 1
civics project-based assessment that is similar to the course or assessments described 2
in (c) of this section; or 3
(3) is a student with a disability who receives a waiver from the 4
governing body. 5
(e) If a student has achieved a passing score as required under (c) of this 6
section, the school shall document on the student's transcript that the student achieved 7
a passing score. A student may retake the assessment required under (c)(2) of this 8
section as needed to achieve a passing score. 9
(f) The department shall adopt regulations to recognize a student who has 10
attained a high level of proficiency in civic knowledge, civic skills, a civic mindset, 11
and civic experiences by affixing a seal of civic readiness on the student's school 12
transcript and diploma. 13
(g) In this section, 14
(1) "open educational resource" means learning, teaching, or research 15
material in any format that resides in the public domain or is under copyright and has 16
been released under an open license that permits access at no cost as well as reuse, 17
repurpose, adaptation, and redistribution by others; 18
(2) "passing score" means a student achieves a grade of 70 percent or 19
higher in a one-semester course, correctly answers 70 percent or more of the questions 20
on a civics assessment, or achieves a score of 70 percent or higher on a civics project-21
based assessment. 22
* Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 23
read: 24
APPLICABILITY: GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. The requirement that a 25
school issue a secondary school diploma only to a student who has met the requirements set 26
out in AS 14.03.076(c), enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, applies to students who enter grade nine 27
on or after July 1, 2027. 28
* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2027. 29