The Grand Canyon. Photo by Sonaal Bangera on Unsplash.
Arizona's Senate Bill 1025 — which would, if enacted, have required the teaching of "intelligent design" in any public school that provides "instruction in evolution by natural selection" — died in committee on February 20, 2026, when a deadline for bills to pass committee expired.
The bill’s sponsor, David C. Farnsworth (R-District 10), acknowledged that "intelligent design" is "just another word for creationism," the Arizona Daily Star (December 13, 2025) reported. "If it were up to me, I would just call it creationism."
Asked what science there is to support the idea of "intelligent design," Farnsworth demurred, saying, "I don't need to prove that to you." He described those who don't accept creationism as "not very intelligent."
"The legality of the proposal is in question," the Arizona Daily Star observed, citing the Supreme Court's decision in Edwards v. Aguillard (1987) but overlooking the relevant decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover (2005), now over 20 years old.
Among the organizations indicated on the legislature's website as opposing the bill were Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Arizona National Organization for Women.
