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Senate committee adds amendment to require daily recess and more physical activity in K–8
Summary
The committee considered SB 339, which mandates at least 30 minutes of recess for K–5 and designates recess as part of the school term. An initial amendment to make a 60‑minute target permissive failed; a subsequent amendment by Senator Shane — requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of organized recess, a 60‑minute minimum of moderate physical activity for K–8 and 30 minutes for high school — passed after debate on measurement and supervision concerns.
The Senate Education Committee took up Senate Bill 339, which would require school districts to provide at least 30 minutes of recess to students in kindergarten through fifth grade and designate recess as part of the school term.
Senator Petty offered an amendment to change the word "should" to "may" where the bill references a 60‑minute target, arguing the change would give districts greater flexibility; the motion was seconded by Senator Sykes and defeated by the committee (chair announced "Motion fails").
Senator Shane then presented a broader amendment that retained the bill’s 30‑minute daily organized recess minimum and added a 60‑minute minimum of moderate physical activity for K–8 (which could include recess, physical education or other organized activities) and a 30‑minute minimum for high school. The amendment included a definition for moderate physical activity; Shane said the definition was adapted from a Missouri bill and remained open to negotiation. Senators debated operational issues such as how districts would measure "moderate" activity, supervisory burdens, cell‑phone exceptions during passing periods, and whether many districts already meet the suggested targets.
After discussion, Senator Shane moved the amendment, seconded by Senator Murphy; the committee voted and the chair announced the amendment passed. The chair asked senators to provide any further amendments to the reviser as floor time permits.
What happens next: with the Shane amendment adopted in committee, SB 339 would carry a new statutory baseline for recess and a stronger emphasis on measurable moderate physical activity; sponsors and staff will need to resolve definitional and implementation questions before any final action.
Quotes
"That 60 minutes was really meant as a target," Senator Shane said, urging a stronger approach to students' physical activity.
Ending
The committee adopted the Shane amendment and closed consideration for the day, instructing senators to submit further amendment language to the reviser.
