Senate Transportation met on October 4, to discuss the passing of SCR3 (Nichols) which would urge congress to give licensing authority to the state for public school bus drivers. A video of the meeting is available here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
SCR3 (Nichols) – Urging Congress to pass legislation that would grant licensing authority for public school bus drivers to the states
- Nichols – About 6 or 7 years ago there was a school bus diver shortage for many reasons, but one of them was because the federal government changed the standards for commercial DL which impacted school bus drivers
- Bus drivers have the same license and take the same test as people who drive 18-wheeleers; there is unnecessary information the bus driver must know to pass the test
- There used to be 125 locations to take the test, now there are only 36; the license only lasts 4-5 years
- Accessibility is a problem because some live too far from a testing center
- COVID has also added to the bus driver shortage
- No questions, green cards are available for those who want to sign on to the bill
SCR3 motion passes, and the bill will be referred to full senate (7-0)