SB 46 Kentucky Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to school transportation and declaring an emergency.

Summary
Amend KRS 156.153 to permit schools to use non-school bus passenger vehicles designed for 10, instead of 9, or fewer passengers; limit statewide driver qualification, training, and drug testing requirements to drivers of non-school bus passenger vehicles along regular bus routes and permit local school boards to adopt district policies on the use of those vehicles to and from approved school activities; exclude parents transporting students to and from school pursuant to a compensation agreement from the requirements of the section; amend KRS 160.380 to conform; EMERGENCY.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 27, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Current/Final · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Kentucky school transportation laws by refining the definition of a 'school bus' and introducing new, stricter safety and training requirements for vehicles used to transport students. It mandates drug testing and specific medical training for drivers of non-school buses, while also allowing for the use of cleaner transportation fuels.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains focused on school transportation, but the applicability of safety rules has expanded to include stricter standards for non-school bus vehicles and new fuel options.
DEFINITION

The definition of a 'school bus' was slightly reorganized to clarify that it includes vehicles meeting specific state standards and used solely for transporting students and employees.

REQUIREMENT

Drivers of non-school buses transporting students on regular routes must now undergo drug testing consistent with federal standards and complete initial training in first aid and CPR.

Local boards of education are now authorized to establish additional qualifications, training, and drug testing requirements for non-school bus drivers.

The bill allows school buses and non-school buses to operate using clean transportation fuels, provided safety standards are maintained.

Inspection frequency for non-school buses used for daily transportation remains every 30 days, while those not used daily must be inspected at least every three months.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 22, 2026

How they voted

430
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 44
Jan 22, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican38
37 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
9
Amendments
3
Mar 27, 2026
Signed into law
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 7)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
enrolled, signed by President of the Senate
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed 36-0
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Upper · Passed
posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Committee
to Rules (S)
upper
Mar 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 87-2 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
to Primary and Secondary Education (H)
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (H)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
3rd reading, passed 37-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
to Education (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
to Committee on Committees (S)
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Introduced
introduced in Senate
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.