Senate adopts amendment delaying implementation and passes open‑enrollment athletic eligibility change
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Summary
House file 25 91, moved by Senator Shipley, increases the ineligibility period for new students in varsity athletics from 90 school days to 140 calendar days; the Senate adopted an amendment setting an Aug. 1, 2026 start date and passed the bill, which was messaged to the House.
Senator Shipley (Senator from Adams) introduced House file 25 91, explaining it increases the period a student who enrolls in a new school is ineligible to compete in varsity athletics from 90 school days to 140 calendar days. Sponsor noted the change responds to schools moving to four-day weeks, where a 90 consecutive‑school‑day measure can unduly limit participation.
The chair called up Senate Amendment 51 03 setting the bill's provisions to begin Aug. 1, 2026; Senator Shipley said the date change makes it easier for schools to work around athletic seasons. The amendment was adopted and the Senate returned to the bill as amended. The clerk recorded the final roll-call and the secretary reported those voting 46–0 in favor; the bill was declared passed and ordered messaged to the House by unanimous consent.
The floor discussion emphasized the practical scheduling reasons for the change; the transcript does not include further fiscal or enforcement detail beyond the amendment's effective date and preserved exceptions already in code.
