Bill Text: AZ SB1054 | 2023 | Fifty-sixth Legislature 1st Regular | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Students; civics education; development program

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-03-28 - House ED Committee action: Do Pass, voting: (8-2-0-0-0-0) [SB1054 Detail]

Download: Arizona-2023-SB1054-Engrossed.html

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Senate Engrossed

 

middle school students; civics; instruction

(now:  students; civics education; development program)

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

 

 

 

SENATE BILL 1054

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-718.02; appropriating monies; relating to school instruction.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-718.02, to read:

START_STATUTE15-718.02. Arizona civics education and leadership development program; instructional service providers; requirements; annual reports; fund; exemption

A. The Arizona civics education and leadership development program is established within the department of education to provide civics education and leadership development training to MIDDLE SCHOOL and high school STUDENTS in this state.

B. The department of education shall develop procedures for eligible nonprofit organizations to apply to participate in the Arizona civics education and leadership development program. The department may approve an application if the eligible nonprofit organization meets all of the following:

1. Is a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code.

2. Has provided American civics education and leadership development training to students who are at least ten years of age for at least five years.

3. Advances the principles of a democratic republic through multigenerational civics education, civil discourse and civic engagement.

4. Can provide American civics education and leadership development training to middle school or high school students in this state.  The education and training must do all of the following:

(a) Promote civil service and civic engagement.

(b) Prepare students for the duties of citizenship.

(c) Provide opportunities to identify and debate issues relating to a democratic republic.

(d) Include education or training on any of the following:

(i) The history of the United States of America, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

(ii) The Declaration of Independence.

(iii) The composition AND ROLES of the branches of local, state and federal government.

(iv) The roles and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic republic, including the importance of civil discourse.

(v) THE POSITIVE BENEFITS FOR CITIZENS IN A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC IN CONTRAST TO OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT.

(e) INCLUDE education or training on THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE FOUNDING DOCUMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED STATES AS FOUND IN SOURCE DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AND THE ARGUMENTS PRESENTED IN THE FEDERALIST PAPERS.

5. SUBMITS A COPY OF THE CURRICULUM AND ALL COURSE MATERIALS, INCLUDING INSTRUCTOR MANUALS, AS PART OF THE APPLICATION.

C. On or before November 1 of each year, each eligible nonprofit organization that is approved to participate in the program pursuant to subsection B of this section shall submit a report to the department of education that describes the following with respect to the Arizona civics education and leadership development program:

1. The number and types of activities conducted.

2. The number of students served.

3. The outcomes achieved.

D. The department of education shall compile the reports that it receives pursuant to subsection C of this section and submit the compiled reports to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall submit a copy of the compiled reports to the secretary of state.

E. The Arizona civics education and leadership development fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations and gifts, grants and donations to the fund.  The department of education shall administer the fund and distribute monies from the fund to eligible nonprofit organizations that are approved to participate in the program pursuant to subsection B of this section.  Eligible nonprofit organizations shall use monies from the fund for stipends for civics leaders and counselors, wages for program staff, educational materials, food, beverages, clothing and transportation.  Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated and are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Appropriation; Arizona civics education and leadership development fund; exemption

A. The sum of $300,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Arizona civics education and leadership development fund established by section 15-718.02, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

B. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.