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Panel backs temporary measure letting retirees return as full‑time school bus drivers
Summary
HB138 would allow state retirees to become full‑time bus drivers while continuing to draw retirement benefits; sponsor described the change as a temporary fix (sunset 2030) to address driver shortages and said RSA has no objection. Committee gave a favorable report.
Representative Pascal presented House Bill 138 as a temporary fix to an acute shortage of school bus drivers.
Pascal said the bill would allow state retirees who have been retired at least 12 months to return as full‑time bus drivers while continuing to receive retirement benefits. The sponsor said the change includes a grandfather clause for retirees before Jan. 1, 2026, and a sunset date of 2030 to allow the legislature to reassess the policy.
The sponsor emphasized the purpose was to address immediate staffing shortages and preserve route continuity: the bill removes a narrow part‑time compensation distinction that created scheduling gaps and aims to allow dedicated routes. Pascal said RSA (the Retirement Systems of Alabama) reviewed the proposal and had no objection.
Committee members asked how ‘full time’ is defined for bus drivers and whether the existing compensation cap would remain; Pascal said the cap stays in place but the bill permits full‑time service without stopping retirement benefits. A favorable motion and second were recorded and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.
The committee did not record a roll‑call vote in the transcript.
