Representative Mike Sparks (Rutherford County) appeared before the Health & Education Committee on Oct. 28 to present House Bill 84, which would allow local school systems the option to hire school bus drivers who are at least 23 years old. The current Tennessee minimum age for school bus drivers is 25.

Sparks said the bill was initially proposed to lower the age to 21 but was revised to 23 after feedback. "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good," he said, urging local support to improve the bill's prospects in the legislature. He told the committee the measure passed the House Transportation Committee and fell in the Senate by one vote this year.

David Settles, vice chair of the Murfreesboro City School Board and a current school bus driver, testified in favor. "Age is kind of arbitrary," Settles said, adding that extensive training and careful evaluation by trainers determine whether a person is fit to drive a school bus. He urged the committee to emphasize training over a single age cutoff.

Commissioners pressed for more and clearer data before offering formal support. Commissioner Davidson and others questioned the provenance and meaning of a chart Sparks distributed that showed percentages of drivers by age group in school bus crashes. Commissioners asked whether the graph: (1) reflects the age of bus drivers only or both parties involved in collisions; (2) reports at‑fault vs. involved parties; (3) includes the number of drivers in each age band (not just percentages); and (4) shows the total number of crashes used to calculate percentages. Sparks said the chart came from a state lawmaker who is a former state trooper but acknowledged the committee's request for clearer, raw data.

Insurance and liability were also raised. Commissioner Davidson said several local bus contractors and insurers told her they would not insure drivers under age 25; Sparks and witnesses replied the bill would be permissive, allowing local school boards to retain a 25‑year minimum if they choose. Commissioners also asked whether reductions in age would affect contractors' ability to obtain coverage.

No formal committee action or vote on the bill took place. Chairman Dodd and other members encouraged Representative Sparks to seek time on the steering committee agenda for a deeper briefing with more detailed data, and to consult with local contractors and insurers before the next legislative session.

What happened next: The committee did not adopt a recommendation at this meeting. Members asked Sparks to bring comprehensive crash‑level data, counts by age band, at‑fault determinations and insurer positions to a future steering committee or full commission briefing so members could perform fiscal and liability due diligence prior to endorsing or opposing the bill.