2025 Higher Ed State Legislation to Watch

Higher education reform is a hot topic in state legislatures this year. From banning legacy admissions to improving civic education to increasing cost transparency, policymakers are challenging the status quo to restore the promise of higher education. Below are steps that state policymakers have taken this year to strengthen fiscal accountability and generate better outcomes for students at colleges and universities in their states.

Connecticut House Bill 5170: Legislation introduced by the Connecticut Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee that would prohibit undisclosed fees by higher education institutions and require the return of unused meal plan funds to students.

Iowa House File 437 and Senate File 519: Legislation introduced by Representative Taylor Collins (R.-District 95) and Senator Kerry Gruenhagen (R.-District 41) that would establish a center dedicated to intellectual diversity and the study of American constitutional order at the University of Illinois.

Maryland Senate Bill 713: Legislation introduce by Senator Benjamin Brooks (D.-District 10) that would require institutions of higher education to display prominently the institution’s graduation rate, salary outcomes, debt outcomes, and more. To read ACTA’s testimony on the bill, click here.

Minnesota Senate File 377: Legislation introduced by Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten (D.-District 66) that would ban legacy admissions at public and private colleges and universities in Minnesota. To read ACTA’s testimony on the bill, click here.

North Carolina House Bill 7 and Senate Bill 300: Legislation introduced by Representative Keith Kidwell (R.-District 79) and Senator Norman W. Sanderson (R.-District 2) that would require all undergraduate students at public universities to take a minimum of three credit hours in American history or civics prior to graduation. To read ACTA’s testimony on H. 7, click here.

Ohio Senate Bill 1: Legislation introduced by Senator Jerry Cirino (R-District 18) that would roll back DEI, require all students to take a 3-credit hour course in American history or U.S. government, mandate annual training for new and existing governing board members, and insist that institutions promote intellectual diversity on Ohio campuses. Read ACTA’s testimony.

Oklahoma Senate Bill 244: Legislation introduced by Senators Julie Daniels (R.-District 29) and Mark Lepak (R.-District 9) that would establish the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma.

Tennessee House Bill 291 and Senate Bill 1077: Legislation introduced by Representative Ron Gant (R.-District 94) and Senator Jack Johnson (R.-District 27) that would require all undergraduate students at public universities to take a three-semester-hour course in American history or civics prior to graduation. The course must include a comprehensive overview of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s letter from Birmingham jail, and at least one additional document that is foundational to the African American freedom struggle.

West Virginia House Bill 3297: Legislation introduced by Delegate Pat McGeehan (R.-District 001) that would establish the Washington Center for Civics, Culture, and Statesmanship within West Virginia University.