State Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) has filed legislation to address persistent school bus driver shortages across Alabama. SB138 allows certain retired educators and state employees to return to work as full-time drivers without losing their retirement benefits.

School districts statewide continue to struggle with a lack of qualified bus drivers, a problem that has led to delayed routes, disrupted schedules and transportation challenges for students and families.

“Among the most fundamental elements of providing children with a quality education is simply transporting them to school safely and on time each day because you can’t teach students if they can’t get to school,” Paschal said. “This bill provides a practical solution that helps school systems meet an urgent need while maintaining responsible limits on the retirement system.”

Under current law, most retirees in the Employees’ Retirement System or the Teachers’ Retirement System are barred from returning to permanent, full-time employment with an RSA-participating employer without first suspending their retirement benefits.

Paschal’s proposal would create a narrowly defined exception allowing eligible retirees to serve as full-time school bus drivers.

The bill includes several safeguards, including a required 12-month separation period from state-covered employment before returning to work. It also limits a retiree’s income as a bus driver to the maximum allowed under existing state law.

In addition, the legislation includes a grandfather provision for individuals who retired on or before January 1, 2026, allowing them to return to work without meeting the separation requirement, provided all other conditions are met.

A sunset date of December 31, 2030, is also included, requiring lawmakers and education stakeholders to reassess the policy based on workforce needs and outcomes.

According to Paschal, the legislation is intended to improve transportation reliability and student safety while allowing school systems to draw from a pool of experienced professionals without expanding long-term retirement liabilities.

“This is about common sense,” Paschal added. “It strengthens our schools, supports students and families, and puts experienced Alabamians back to work in a role where they are urgently needed.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].