MADISON – State Senator Dianne Hesselbein and Representative Mike Bare today celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 210 through the Senate. Suggested by constituents, the legislation would allow school board members to serve as volunteer school bus drivers. The Senate passed the bill (without objection/vote) during today’s floor session.
“This legislation will allow those ready and willing to step up to help alleviate the shortage we have in school bus drivers, especially in rural communities in our area and state,” Sen. Hesselbein said. “I want to thank my colleague Sen. Romaine Quinn for authoring this bill, and Bill Oemichen from New Glarus and my husband Bob from Middleton-Cross Plains for their tireless advocacy and willingness to serve.”
If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, the legislation would create an exception allowing a school board member willing to meet all of the requirements of a school bus driver to serve in their district as a volunteer without compensation beyond the costs associated with obtaining or renewing the required CDL and school bus endorsement.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Assembly Rep. Joel Kitchens and Rep. Scott Johnson for authoring this legislation with me,” Rep. Bare said. “This change will help students safely get to and from school, field trips, and extracurricular activities. I appreciate New Glarus School Board President Bill Oemichen for working with us throughout the legislative process. I look forward to passing this legislation in the State Assembly and sending it to the Governor’s desk.”
