Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to the physical education and physical activity requirements applicable to certain specified students and by implementing a graduation requirement related to participation in a cocurricular or extracurricular activity
Topics:K–12 education
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 5, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 5, 2026
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: Senate committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to education, including by modifying provisions related to the physical education and physical activity requirements applicable to certain specified students and by implementing a graduation requirement related to participation in a cocurricular or extracurricular activity. The bill requires each student enrolled in grades one through eight to participate in the physical education curriculum for at least minutes during each school day. Current law requires all physically able students in kindergarten through grade five to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of minutes per school day, which may include physical education.
Read the full explanation
The bill provides that physical education shall not be used to meet this physical activity requirement for such students. Current law requires all physically able students in grades through to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of 120 minutes per week, which may include physical education. The bill modifies this provision to apply to all physically able students in grades through 12. The bill also provides that all physically able students in grades six through eight are required to engage in a physical activity for a minimum of minutes per school day and 150 minutes per week, and that physical education shall not be used to meet this physical activity requirement. _____ innovation zone schools to include self-defense in the physical education curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades through 12. The bill provides that each school district, charter school, and innovation zone school is to require that all students enrolled in grades through participate in at least one cocurricular or extracurricular activity as a condition of graduation. The bill defines “cocurricular activity” and “extracurricular activity”. The state board of education is required to adopt rules pursuant to Code chapter 17A to administer this provision.3.16.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.
From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text
House subcommittee
Named February 9, 2026. On February 11, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 11, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Iowa Code it changes
Creates§279.89
Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works
Lobbying
0 for · 4 against · 3 undecided · Who →