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HB 1758 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

Out-of-state school bus driver certificates

AI-generated

relative to school bus drivers' certificates.

Establishes an alternative path to obtaining a school bus driver's certificate for individuals currently certified in another jurisdiction that the division of motor vehicles determines meets or exceeds New Hampshire's requirements.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill provides an alternative path to obtaining a school bus driver's certificate through being currently certified as a school bus driver in a jurisdiction that the director of the division of motor vehicles determines meets or exceeds the requirements established by New Hampshire rules.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Such authority shall submit the list of names to the department requesting an investigation of each driver's criminal and motor vehicle record.”
RSA 263:29
“If such driver is found to be qualified to bear the responsibility of such transportation, the division shall cause said driver to be examined under the rules adopted pursuant to RSA 265:58.”
RSA 263:29
“No person shall drive a school bus or school transportation vehicle unless he or she has satisfactorily passed the special examination for said driving or has provided proof of being currently certified to drive a school bus in a qualifying jurisdiction and received from the division a special school bus driver's certificate for a school bus or school transportation vehicle.”
RSA 263:29
“The director may revoke such special school bus driver's certificate for good cause shown.”
RSA 263:29

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Thomas OppelDPrime
  • Rep. Hope DamonDDeputy Ranking Member· Education Funding

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. David FrachtD

Public testimony

10 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

90% support10% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is an excellent idea. I hope it would help ease bus driver shortages.”
— Rebecca Powell, Enfieldsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation1:06:29–1:08:562m 27slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2026Public hearingHouse Transportation2:09:15–2:11:242m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floor6:05:16–6:06:251m 9slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 7, 2026Public hearingSenate Transportation18:47–21:252m 38slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:16:42–1:20:464m 4slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1524s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1524s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1524s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor38:53–40:321m 39slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1524s (Rep. T. Walsh) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 34
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 234
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/10/2026 (Vote 8-7; RC) HC 7 P. 40
  5. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 113
  7. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 5
  8. Apr 7, 2026SenHearing: 04/07/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:10 pm; SC 13
  9. Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1524s, 04/23/2026, Vote 4-0; SC 15
  10. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1524s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  11. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1524s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  12. May 7, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1524s (Rep. T. Walsh): MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 5
  13. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  14. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  15. Jun 19, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/19/2026; Chapter 180; eff. 08/18/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.