Displaying official US motto in public schools
SB 280 requires all public schools in the state to display the official U.S. motto, "In God We Trust," in a prominent location within each school building. This policy directly affects every public K-12 school in the state, mandating the physical display of the motto as part of school decor. The key provision specifies that the motto must be visible in a location easily accessible to students and staff, without requiring specific formatting or additional signage. The bill became law on April 29, 2025, after approval by the Governor.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 12, 2025
Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons
What changed between versions
sb280 sfa azinger _1 3-11 adopted.htm
→
sb280 sfat azinger _1 3-11 adopted.htm
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3 edits
MINOR
The document title was updated from 'SFA' (Senate Finance Committee) to 'SFAT' (Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee), indicating a procedural change in committee assignment. The substantive legislative text was removed and replaced with a formal bill title that clarifies the bill's purpose: requiring public schools and higher education institutions to display the national motto 'In God We Trust' with the US flag in every classroom, subject to donation requirements, and applying to charter schools.
Scope change
The bill scope remains the same (requiring display of the national motto in classrooms), but the document now includes a formal bill title describing the scope rather than the original amendment text.
TECHNICAL
Document header changed from 'SFA' to 'SFAT' indicating a committee name change.
Formal bill title added describing the bill's purpose and scope.
REQUIREMENT
Original amendment text specifying display requirements for national motto in public schools and higher education institutions was removed.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 11, 2025
How they voted
32–1
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 12, 2025
D
Democratic2
50% Nay
R
Republican31
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
46
Key actions
13
Committee
8
Amendments
2
Apr 29, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/29/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 550)
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 503)
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Amended
Amendment rejected (Voice vote)
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass, but first to Judiciary
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
To House Education
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
To Education then Judiciary
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title amendment adopted
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 96)
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To Education
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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