S. 4057 — American Civics Renewal Act

This section establishes definitions for the Act, incorporating the meanings of the terms *elementary school*, *local educational agency*, *secondary school*, and *State educational agency* from section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), and defining *Commission* as the Commission on American Civics Renewal established under section 3(a).

This section establishes the Commission on American Civics Renewal, consisting of 8 members appointed by the Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Senate HELP Committee chair and ranking member, House Speaker, House Minority Leader, and House Education and Workforce Committee chair and ranking member not later than 60 days after enactment, to identify ways for the federal government to strengthen support for civics education. The commission must hold its initial meeting not later than 30 days after all members are appointed, select a chairperson and vice chairperson at that meeting, meet at the chairperson's call with a majority quorum, and fill vacancies in the same manner as initial appointments.

This section directs the Commission to (1) review the current state of civics education across elementary and secondary education, higher education, and adult learning; (2) evaluate existing federal programs and funding streams supporting civics education and recommend ways to streamline, coordinate, or scale them for efficiency and equitable access; (3) assess teacher preparation programs and professional development for civics instruction; (4) collect best practices for teaching and supporting civics education; (5) provide guidance on leveraging federal investments with philanthropic, state, or local resources to avoid unfunded mandates on state or local educational agencies; and (6) propose strategies to elevate civics education as a national priority. The section requires the Commission, in carrying out these duties, to engage specified federal entities (e.g., Department of Education, National Archives), state and local education leaders, and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organizations advancing civics learning. It further directs the Commission to develop a proposed age-appropriate civics education curriculum for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary students that promotes U.S. political thought and history, principles of representative democracy and constitutional government (including individual rights, market economics, religious freedom, and freedom of thought), civic engagement, and nontraditional teaching methods; and, by not later than two years after its first meeting, to publish a national strategy with examples of partnerships among state/local agencies, schools, federal partners, and nonprofits, plus implementation recommendations. By not later than 15 months after its first meeting, the Commission must submit the proposed curriculum and national strategy to the House Committee on Education and Workforce, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Secretary of Education, and the Archivist of the United States. The section also requires the Secretary, within 30 days of receipt, to notify all state educational agencies of the materials and provide access through a website or other means.

This section authorizes the Commission to (1) hold hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as advisable to carry out the Act; (2) secure directly from federal departments or agencies, with such information furnished by agency heads upon request of the chairperson, any information necessary to carry out the Act; (3) use the U.S. mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other federal departments and agencies; and (4) accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.

This section establishes personnel authorities for the Commission, including (1) compensation for non-federal members at the daily equivalent of level IV of the Executive Schedule, (2) travel expenses at rates authorized for federal employees under 5 U.S.C. ch. 57, subch. I, (3) appointment by the Chairperson of an executive director (subject to Commission confirmation) and other staff without regard to civil service laws, with pay not to exceed level V of the Executive Schedule, (4) non-reimbursed detail of federal employees without loss of civil service status, and (5) procurement of temporary and intermittent services at rates not to exceed the daily equivalent of level V of the Executive Schedule.

This section terminates the Commission 60 days after it submits the proposed civics curriculum and national strategy to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions under section 4(d).

This section appropriates $2 million to the Commission to carry out this Act, with funds available from the date of enactment until expended.