333:1 New Section; Commission to Study the School Bus Driver Shortage. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 6-c the following new section:

189:6-d Commission to Study the School Bus Driver Shortage.

I. The general court finds that the shortage of school bus drivers in places like Northwood creates a significant burden on our school districts and our families. Later school start times and an inability to transport students to extracurricular activities adversely effect the education of our students. There is hereby established a commission to study the school bus driver shortage.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the commerce and consumer affairs committee and one of whom shall be from the education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The director of the division of motor vehicles, department of safety, or designee.

(d) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(e) Two members of the New Hampshire School Transportation Association, appointed by the association.

(f) One school bus driver who is an affiliated member of a labor organization, appointed by the labor organization's local union.

(g) One school bus driver who is not affiliated with a labor organization, appointed by the governor.

(h) One member from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, appointed by the association.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall study the effect of bus driver shortages on school districts. The commission shall also study the possibility of "statewide certification" as there are currently specific rules and statutes that restrict private bus companies and transportation providers from supporting multiple school districts throughout the state.

V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2018.

333:2 Repeal. RSA 189:6-d, relative to the commission to study the school bus driver shortage, is repealed.

333:3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 25, 2018

Effective Date:

I. Section 2 shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. Remainder shall take effect June 25, 2018.

333:1 New Section; Commission to Study the School Bus Driver Shortage. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 6-c the following new section:

189:6-d Commission to Study the School Bus Driver Shortage.

I. The general court finds that the shortage of school bus drivers in places like Northwood creates a significant burden on our school districts and our families. Later school start times and an inability to transport students to extracurricular activities adversely effect the education of our students. There is hereby established a commission to study the school bus driver shortage.

II. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the commerce and consumer affairs committee and one of whom shall be from the education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The director of the division of motor vehicles, department of safety, or designee.

(d) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(e) Two members of the New Hampshire School Transportation Association, appointed by the association.

(f) One school bus driver who is an affiliated member of a labor organization, appointed by the labor organization's local union.

(g) One school bus driver who is not affiliated with a labor organization, appointed by the governor.

(h) One member from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, appointed by the association.

III. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

IV. The commission shall study the effect of bus driver shortages on school districts. The commission shall also study the possibility of "statewide certification" as there are currently specific rules and statutes that restrict private bus companies and transportation providers from supporting multiple school districts throughout the state.

V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

VI. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2018.

333:2 Repeal. RSA 189:6-d, relative to the commission to study the school bus driver shortage, is repealed.

333:3 Effective Date.

I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 25, 2018

Effective Date:

I. Section 2 shall take effect November 1, 2018.

II. Remainder shall take effect June 25, 2018.