(IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) -All state university students would be required to pass specified U.S. history and government classes under legislation that is headed to the Senate Education Committee for further debate. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Senate File 2033 would, if passed, require the Iowa Board of Regents to establish rules stating universities must require three-credit-hour, general education courses in American history and government for graduation, and provide credits for students transferring with similar courses already under their belt.

The board of regents would also need to review all general education requirements and core curricula for a report due to the General Assembly by the end of 2026. The bill advanced from a three-member Senate Education subcommittee today (Tuesday). The Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa, Center for Cyclone Civics at Iowa State University and Center for Civic Education at the University of Northern Iowa would be required to create courses satisfying the new general education requirements, as well as establish ongoing lecture and debate series.

They would also have to submit annual reports of their achievements and the opportunities, challenges and obstacles they’ve faced to the board of regents, General Assembly and governor. Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Jason Chapman, echoing comments he made during the subcommittee on the legislation’s House companion bill, House Study Bill 543, said the board is registered undecided on the bill but has concerns about transfer credits and how they’ll work with high school, community college and international students.

Connie Ryan, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa executive director and lobbyist for the organization’s action fund, also reiterated her concerns on the House bill, that it is an overreach of the Legislature that will negatively impact students as higher education costs continue to rise. She also said there should be allocations provided by the state to the centers of civic education if the Legislature expects them to develop and put on ongoing lecture and debate series.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said no one questions the fact that American history and government are “clearly very important” topics, but requiring them as part of general education would be a huge lift for colleges, in terms of both finances and manpower. Quirmbach also raised questions about language in the bill prohibiting courses he said focused on the study of “subgroups of Americans or other nationalities,” and the fact that this mandate would be at the college level and only for universities governed by the Iowa Board of Regents.