Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to department of education school bus driver authorization and approved courses of instruction
Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee
Topics:K–12 educationTransportation
Same legislation: SSB 1161
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 19, 2025
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 25, 2025
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 19, 202547–0
- Stopped: House committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary School bus drivers will no longer be required by the state to take special training courses unless their specific school district demands it. If a driver loses their permission to drive because they didn't finish a course, they can get that permission back if they find a new job at a district that doesn't require the training. Drivers working for districts that still require these courses must continue to follow the current rules.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, a person applying for employment or employed as a school bus driver is required to successfully complete a course of instruction for school bus drivers approved by the department of education (DE) before or within the first 6 months of employment and at least every 24 months thereafter. If a school bus driver fails to provide an employer with a certificate of completion of the course, the driver’s employer must report the failure to DE and the employee’s authorization to operate a school bus must be revoked. A person whose school bus authorization has been revoked is prohibited from being issued another authorization until certification of the completion of a course is received by DE. This bill exempts school bus drivers from being required to complete a course unless the school district employing the driver requires it. A school bus driver whose authorization is revoked may receive authorization without completion of a course if the driver is subsequently employed by a school district that does not require successful completion of a course, so long as the driver is otherwise eligible for authorization. If a school bus driver’s school district requires successful completion of a course, the driver must comply with the course requirements under current law.
Why it matters. School bus drivers would no longer be required by the state to complete approved instruction courses unless their specific school district requires it. If a driver's authorization is revoked for not completing a course, they can regain authorization if they find employment with a school district that does not require the training.2
House subcommittee
Named March 3, 2026. Meeting: Tuesday, March 10 · 8:15 AM · House Lounge.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: March 10, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Family tree
Study bill
91st General Assembly