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Read. Follow. Verify.North Dakota requires presidential physical fitness test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education
Last action · January 28, 2026: Filed with Secretary Of State 01/23
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What This Bill Does
North Dakota law now mandates participation in the presidential physical fitness test for elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses, taking effect August 1, 2027. The superintendent of public instruction is authorized to establish criteria and exceptions aligned with federal guidance.
School districts and nonpublic schools across the state must incorporate standardized fitness testing into their physical education curricula, while students statewide face new mandatory assessment requirements starting in the 2027-2028 school year.
- The North Dakota Century Code governs the statutory laws of the state of North Dakota, including mandatory educational standards for public and nonpublic schools. context
- Legislative Management is an interim committee of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly that studies assigned issues and develops legislation between legislative sessions. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public and nonpublic school students
Students in elementary, middle, and high schools are required to participate in the presidential physical fitness test during physical education courses.
school districts and nonpublic high schools
Schools must update their physical education curricula to include the mandated fitness test and ensure compliance with state standards.
superintendent of public instruction
The superintendent is authorized to establish criteria for and exceptions to the presidential physical fitness test.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the presidential physical fitness test requirement take effect?
Who can grant exceptions to the fitness test?
Does this requirement apply to alternative high schools?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
16 actions- Jan 28, 2026Filed with Secretary Of State 01/23
- Jan 23, 2026HouseEnrolledSigned by Governor 01/23
- Jan 23, 2026HouseEnrolledSent to Governor
- Jan 23, 2026HouseSigned by Speaker
- Jan 23, 2026SenateSigned by President
- Jan 23, 2026HouseReturned to House
Show 10 earlier actions
- Jan 23, 2026SenateFloorSecond reading, passed, yeas 43 nays 3
- Jan 22, 2026SenateCommitteeEngrossment placed on calendar 12 2 0
- Jan 22, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, first reading, referred Joint Policy Committee
- Jan 22, 2026SenateReceived from House
- Jan 22, 2026HouseFloorSecond reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 2
- Jan 22, 2026HouseCommitteeAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 12 1 1
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeCommittee Hearing 01:00
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeCommittee Hearing 11:00
- Jan 21, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, first reading, referred Joint Policy Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Fitness Assessment Integration
The state has transitioned from general physical education requirements to a codified mandate requiring participation in a specific standardized testing framework (the presidential physical fitness test).
Connected Entities
Sources
ndlegis.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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