HB 1758 (2026): relative to school bus drivers' certificates.

HB 1758 (2026)

relative to school bus drivers' certificates.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Transportation
• Senate committee: Transportation
• Subject: Occupational Regulation
• Chapter law: 180

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 3, 2026, with 10 people signed in online: 9 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 10, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 8–7. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 19, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1524s). The committee's amendment (2026-1524s) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 7, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1524s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Thomas Walsh. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 19, 2026, making it Chapter 180 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Thomas Oppel (D - Graf 9) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Hope Damon (D - Sull 8)
• Rep. David Fracht (D - Graf 16)
• Rep. Henry Giasson (R - Hills 29)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 3, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Transportation, GP 234
• February 10, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Transportation, GP 234
• February 19, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 7, 2026, 1:10 PM: hearing, Senate Transportation, SH 122-123
• April 23, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• February 19, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1524s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1524s — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 263:29

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 34
• HC 7, page 40
• HJ 5, page 113
• SJ 5
• SC 13
• SC 15
• SJ 10
• HJ 12, page 5
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 43