Committee advances bill requiring school buses to install and use crossing arms, adds funding language

The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation advanced LD 21 59 on March 19, 2026, adopting amendments to require school buses be equipped with and use exterior crossing arms and adding appropriation language to cover implementation costs.

OPLA analyst Melanie Furman told the committee the fiscal note flagged the measure as a potential state mandate and estimated $3,360,000 would be required to implement the bill as printed; she recommended inserting the same appropriation language (sections t9–t11) into LD 21 59 or, alternatively, including a mandate preamble. The committee voted to add the appropriation language and to send the bill to appropriations for funding consideration.

Lieutenant Bruce Scott of the traffic safety unit said that, as drafted, noncompliant buses could be rejected in inspection and taken out of service, and he described the commission’s recommendation to delay the effective date to Feb. 15, 2027, to give districts and industry time to retrofit buses and to allow the commission to report back while the Legislature remains in session. "If they weren't compliant, the buses would actually be taken out of service at that point," Scott said, explaining inspection enforcement.

Scott and committee members described industry capacity as uneven: interviews with three local dealers produced two optimistic estimates and one pessimistic assessment. The commission estimated a retrofit need of roughly 1,500–2,000 buses statewide but found only about 900 buses newer than 2021 in its initial count; the figures remain estimates pending a comprehensive inventory. Committee members emphasized that districts with capacity should proceed so that work can begin as funds flow to those that cannot pay up front.

The committee adopted additional technical amendments. Members added language clarifying that a bus may not be put in motion while its door is open and passengers are on board, and the bill would prohibit operators from disabling the crossing arm except when a physical barrier prevents safe extension. The measure also establishes a permanent School Transportation Safety Commission (currently operating under an executive order) and allows the commission to invite additional members and determine voting status for invited participants; the committee clarified the language to avoid ad-hoc "stacking" of votes.

On reimbursement policy, Rep. Lydia Crafts urged limiting retroactive payments to avoid reimbursing districts that already self-funded retrofits; she proposed barring retroactive payments before March 1, 2026, so funds prioritize districts without upfront capacity. The committee agreed to include language to address retroactivity and equity concerns.

By voice vote the committee moved that LD 21 59 "ought to pass as amended" and directed staff to circulate final bill language by email and to route funding language to appropriations. The bill will be returned with final drafting changes and is expected to be posted to the committee's work plan for follow-up.

What happens next: the committee reported the bill as amended and will send the appropriation language to the Special Appropriations table; members also expect the commission to report by Feb. 1 (as required in the draft) so the Legislature can consider any requests for extensions before the Feb. 15 effective date if adopted.