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Bill

AB 53

Establishes provisions relating to outdoor recreational education. (BDR 34-509)

2025 Regular Session

Requires districts to provide at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess daily for K–5, with exceptions; also allows elective outdoor recreation credit for secondary students.

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AB 53

AB 53 — Establishes provisions relating to outdoor recreational education (BDR 34‑509)

Status: Introduced Dec 2, 2024 (prefiled Nov 19, 2024). Passed Assembly May 29, 2025 (Ayes 70, Noes 0); transmitted to the Senate for referral. Record indicates: “Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.”
(See Procedural timeline below.)

Purpose / Intent

To increase students’ daily outdoor activity and create a pathway for academic credit for structured outdoor recreational learning. The bill aims to promote physical activity, outdoor skills and environmental awareness while setting consistent minimum recess requirements for elementary pupils.

Key provisions

  • Elementary recess policy (K–5)

    • Requires each school district board and each charter school governing body to adopt a policy requiring elementary schools to provide recess each school day for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1–5.
    • Policy must require at least 20 minutes of outdoor recess per school day for those pupils.
    • Policy must include:
    • Exemptions for pupils unable to participate due to illness, disability, or other physical inability.
    • A prohibition on denying outdoor recess for academic or behavioral reasons except when (a) an academic goal cannot reasonably be achieved another way, or (b) the safety/welfare of the pupil or others cannot reasonably be protected otherwise.
    • A requirement to substitute appropriate indoor activities when outdoor recess is unsafe or inappropriate due to weather or conditions.

  • Outdoor recreational credit (junior high / middle / high school)

    • Permits a district board or charter governing body to authorize elective credit for students who complete approved outdoor recreational activities outside school hours.
    • Approved activities must: be outside school hours, require significant time outdoors, and teach relevant outdoor education skills (examples listed include identifying native plants/animals, trail building, habitat restoration, outdoor survival, hiking/archery, bird watching).
    • The board/governing body must set: maximum credits allowed, application rules for credit, and parental/legal guardian consent procedures.
    • Does not require districts or charters to provide, facilitate, sponsor, or fund such activities.

  • Fiscal / mandate language

    • The bill contains an unfunded mandate warning and states NRS 354.599 does not apply to additional local government expenses related to this act.

Who is affected

  • Pupils in kindergarten through grade 5 (guaranteed outdoor recess time).
  • Junior high / middle / high school students who may earn elective credit through approved outdoor activities.
  • School districts and charter schools (required to adopt policies and, if they opt in, to establish procedures and limits for credit).
  • Parents/guardians (required for consent when credit is awarded).

Implementation / effective dates

  • Some sections become effective upon passage and approval for regulatory and preparatory actions.
  • Substantive provisions (Sections 1–3) take effect July 1, 2025, for all other purposes (per the bill’s text).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Expected benefits: increased daily outdoor activity, physical and mental health benefits, expanded experiential learning and environmental stewardship opportunities.
  • Administrative impacts: districts must adopt and implement policy language, manage exemptions and substitutions, and — if opting to approve credit — set up approval, verification and consent processes.
  • Fiscal impact: the bill warns of potential local fiscal effects and is identified as containing an unfunded mandate; districts are not required to fund extracurricular activities that qualify for credit.

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • Prefiled: Nov 19, 2024; Introduced: Dec 2, 2024.
  • Referred to Committee on Education; committee actions and amendments followed.
  • Passed Assembly (third reading) May 29, 2025 (70–0). Transmitted to Senate; first reading and referral to Committee on Rules for assignment.
  • Record includes: “Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.” (Indicates later procedural restriction on further consideration.)

If you want, I can: (1) extract the full bill text provisions for district policy templates, (2) draft a short one‑page guidance note for district administrators on implementing the 20‑minute recess requirement, or (3) summarize potential budgetary implications for a typical district.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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