Executive Order 13265: President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
President: George W. Bush
Created a presidential advisory council within HHS to promote physical activity and sports participation, advise the President and HHS Secretary, coordinate public-private work and improve public information and program opportunities.
Status: In effect as amended.
Is Executive Order 13265 still in effect? Yes. Active as amended; council continued through September 2027.
What does Executive Order 13265 do?
The order assigned these duties: HHS Secretary — Develop and coordinate the national physical-activity and sports program and support the council; Council — Advise the President and HHS Secretary and recommend ways to expand participation.
Checked the original council order against EO 14327’s 2025 replacement charter and EO 14354’s extension through September 30, 2027. Added the present Fitness Test assignment to HHS, with Education Department support.
Before and after
Before the order
EO 12345 governed the prior President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports structure.
After the order
EO 14327 revised the council’s mission and current charter, re-established the Presidential Fitness Test for HHS to administer with Education Department support, and set a two-year term unless extended. EO 14354 separately continued the advisory committee through September 30, 2027.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| HHS Secretary | Develop and coordinate the national physical-activity and sports program and support the council | Ongoing |
| Council | Advise the President and HHS Secretary and recommend ways to expand participation | During each renewed charter |
| Federal agencies | Provide lawful information and assistance | As requested and subject to available funds |
| HHS Secretary with Education Department support | Administer the re-established Presidential Fitness Test under EO 14327 | Under the 2025 charter |
What happened next
EO 13265 signed.
EO 13265 created the council and revoked EO 12345.
EO 13545 added nutrition and renamed the council.
EO 13824 revised the council as the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.
EO 14327 amended EO 13265 and directed re-establishment of the Presidential Fitness Test.
EO 14354 continued the council through September 30, 2027.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The council is advisory and its programs depend on lawful HHS authority and appropriations. Its recommendations do not create individual fitness duties or benefits. Later orders amend, rather than replace, EO 13265, so the original order remains part of the current governing chain. No order-specific merits judgment was located.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- HHS — current President’s Council program (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on October 2, 2026. How we research →