NSTA Advances Legislative Priorities During 2026 Capitol Hill Bus-In
Members of the industry’s contractor’s association traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for two key initiatives during congressional meetings.
by Patrick Dean, NSTA President
March 23, 2026
NSTA’s 2026 Capitol Hill Bus-In brought its contractor and supplier members to Washington to advocate for safer student transportation and stronger driver recruitment policies.
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NSTA
3 min to read
The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Advocacy Team returned to Capitol Hill from March 11 to 13, 2026, as members from across the country gathered for the annual Capitol Hill Bus-In to advance the association’s key legislative priorities in the 119th Congress.
The two-day event brought together NSTA members from across the country who met with members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss issues affecting school bus contractors and the millions of students who rely on safe and reliable transportation to and from school each day.
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Throughout the Capitol Hill Bus-In, NSTA members focused their advocacy efforts on two key pieces of legislation: the Driving Forward Act (H.R. 2360 / S. 1284) and the Brake for Kids Act (H.R. 2348 / S. 2812). Both initiatives address critical challenges facing the student transportation industry, including the ongoing school bus driver shortage and the continued danger posed by motorists illegally passing stopped school buses.
The Minnesotans of the group find each other! John Benjamin of Benjamin Bus, Shane Johnson of Palmer Bus, and Garrett Regan of Faribault Transportation, stand with Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota.
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NSTA
The Driving Forward Act would permanently extend the exemption from the “Under the Hood” portion of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) pre-trip inspection skills test for school bus drivers seeking a K-restricted CDL, which allows drivers to operate school buses only. The current testing requirement requires applicants to lift the hood of a bus and identify various engine components, an element originally designed for long-haul trucking operations. For school bus drivers, however, this requirement has long been viewed as an unnecessary barrier to entry into the profession.
NSTA members also urged lawmakers to support the Brake for Kids Act. This legislation is aimed at addressing the alarming number of motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. According to data from the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), an estimated 39.3 million illegal passing violations occurred during the 2024-2025 school year in the United States. While the yellow school bus remains the safest form of transportation for students, the greatest danger occurs when children are boarding or exiting the bus and motorists fail to obey the extended stop arm and flashing red lights.
The Brake for Kids Act would ultimately direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop and implement a nationwide public safety messaging campaign focused on educating the motoring public about the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. Similar national safety campaigns, such as “Click it or Ticket” coordinated by the U.S. Department of Transportation have proven effective at influencing driver behavior and raising public awareness of roadway safety issues.
FMCSA Deputy Administrator Jesse Elison meets with NSTA members during the Bus-In's dinner event.
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NSTA
In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, the 2026 NSTA Capitol Hill Bus-In also provided opportunities for attendees to connect and collaborate during several events, including an NSTA Advocacy Team Reception, a Rise and Shine Breakfast, and the NSTA Advocacy Team Dinner. The dinner featured special guest Jesse Elison, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), who joined members to discuss federal priorities and the continued partnership between FMCSA and the student transportation industry.
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Through meetings with lawmakers and staff, NSTA members reinforced the importance of policies that support safe, reliable student transportation and strengthen the workforce responsible for delivering it. The NSTA Capitol Hill Bus-In continues to ensure that the collective voice of the student transportation community is heard and amplifies its commitment to advancing solutions that protect students and support the professionals who transport them every day.
If you want to learn more about NSTA Advocacy efforts, please feel free to contact me at president@yellowbuses.org. Remember, with NSTA, you never travel alone.
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