DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House panel has declined to approve a bill that would have required Iowa high school students to pass a civics exam to graduate. Members of an education subcommittee discussed the bill Tuesday. It will not be taken up again this session.

A few education groups were registered against the bill, which would have required high school students to pass an exam given to immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. Lobbyists questioned mandating such a requirement without funding. Lawmakers also pointed out that Iowa high school students are already required to take a government course to graduate.

Several state legislatures are considering similar bills. The Joe Foss Institute, an Arizona-based nonprofit, is working toward getting all 50 states to approve such laws by 2017, when the Constitution turns 230 years old.