WASHINGTON — The National School Transportation Association returned to Washington for its annual Capitol Hill advocacy event, pressing lawmakers to support legislation aimed at improving school bus safety and addressing driver shortages.
The group’s 2026 Capitol Hill Bus-In, held March 11–13, brought members to meetings with congressional offices to promote two measures: the Brake for Kids Act and the Driving Forward Act.
The Brake for Kids Act would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a nationwide public safety campaign highlighting the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. The proposal includes outreach through television and radio advertising.
The Driving Forward Act seeks to ease barriers to entry for prospective school bus drivers. The association has identified certain commercial driver’s license testing requirements as obstacles that discourage applicants. Supporters say the bill could expand the nationwide pool of drivers.
Following the meetings, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, signed on as a co-sponsor of the Driving Forward Act on March 16.
The Bus-In included a series of meetings, receptions and briefings over two days. Participants held discussions with Senate and House offices and heard remarks from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Jesse Elison, who emphasized collaboration between regulators and private school bus operators.
Organizers said 65 attendees took part in a record 176 meetings with congressional offices during the program.
NSTA President Patrick Dean said the effort strengthened relationships with lawmakers and kept attention on student safety, particularly the risks posed by illegal passing of school buses.
Executive Director Curt Macysyn said the organization expects the outreach to build bipartisan support for both measures, noting federal data suggests many drivers remain unaware of laws governing stopped school buses.
The association, founded in 1964, represents private school bus contractors and advocates for policies affecting the nation’s school transportation system, which serves 25 million students daily.
