Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve, and including applicability provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Lynn Evans (R)
Topics:K–12 education
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 27, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 3, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 19, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2413
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became SF 2413 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2413 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Students in seventh and eighth grade at public, private, charter, and innovation zone schools would receive more instruction on civics and the United States government. For all students in grades seven through twelve, the amount of time spent learning about the U.S. government would increase from a half unit to a full unit. These changes would start with the school year beginning in July 2028.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in grades through 12. Current law requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in grades seven and eight include instruction related to civics. The bill requires that the social studies instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades seven and eight also include instruction related to United States government. The instruction related to civics and United States government must be at least one-half semester, or the trimester or quarter equivalent. Current law requires school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to offer and teach one-half unit of United States government instruction as part of the required five units of social studies instruction in grades through 12. The bill requires that the United States government instruction provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in grades through also include instruction related to civics, and increases the offer and teach requirement from one-half unit to one unit. The bill applies to school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028.
Changed since by amendment H-8076; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 3, 2026. On February 4, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: January 22, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill changes requirements for school districts, charter schools, innovation zone schools, and nonpublic schools to include instruction in U.S. government and civics. The fiscal impact of this bill cannot be estimated.3
From the note: The introduced version of House File 2244 required a Fiscal Note that included an undetermined fiscal impact. House File 2244 was amended by the House on March 3, 2026, and the Bill no longer requires a Fiscal Note. /s/ Jennifer Acton March 5, 2026 Doc ID 1602065 The Fiscal Note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code.
- High School Social Studies Curricula, Government · March 5, 2026
- High School Social Studies Curricula, Government · March 2, 2026
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
8 for · 0 against · 10 undecided · Who →
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