Senate committee reports bill to make the text transcribed as the “Aiken Bridal” available in specified social studies classes

The committee reported Senate Bill 388 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass after a voice vote.

Committee Counsel explained the measure and said it “requires public schools to make the Aiken Bridal available to all fourth grade, eighth grade, and tenth grade social studies classrooms subject to private donations being available for that purpose. No public funds can be used.” Counsel also said the requirement would apply to public charter schools.

Committee Chair said the three grade levels were chosen to align with state standards: “Those grade levels were chosen based on the standards, that schools are supposed to be teaching. They deal with American Revolution and so it’s fourth grade, eighth grade and tenth grade.” A member of the committee, Senator Flamingo, expressed support during discussion, saying, “I love the bill.”

A senator asked how the material would be displayed and how it would be handled in classrooms; Committee Counsel responded that the bill does not specify display details and suggested it would be made available in the classroom rather than prescribing placement or handling.

The Vice Chair moved that a committee substitute for Senate Bill 388 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass; the Chair called for a voice vote and declared the motion adopted. The committee did not record roll-call vote counts in the transcript; adoption was by voice vote.

The bill was described by Committee Counsel as modeled after an "In God We Trust" measure; the committee did not debate any amendments during the session and no fiscal impact statement was discussed in the record.

Next steps: the bill will be transmitted to the full Senate for further consideration.