Sen. Hanig files bill in North Carolina Senate to require American history courses for college graduation

A new bill filed by State Sen. Hanig seeks to ensure students at UNC institutions and community colleges complete credit hours in American history or government to graduate, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 300 on March 17 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘NC REACH Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, known as the North Carolina Reclaiming College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage Act, mandates that students at University of North Carolina institutions and North Carolina community colleges must complete at least three credit hours in American history or American government to graduate with a baccalaureate or associate degree, respectively. The courses must cover major events and documents, including the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and others like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. The policy will not increase the total credit hours required for graduation or interfere with accreditation processes. Exceptions will be granted for students with equivalent coursework or exams completed elsewhere. Effective in the 2026-27 academic year, the bill also outlines compliance checks and reporting to ensure adherence by educational institutions.

A related bill, HB 7, was also filed in the North Carolina House, introduced by Rep. Keith Kidwell (and three others) on Jan. 29, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Hanig proposed the most bills (33) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Hanig, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 1st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Norman Sanderson.