News & Insights

Whether retirement is five years away or fifteen, succession and exit planning is one of the most important strategic steps a business owner can take to protect the value they’ve created and ensure their transition happens on their terms. Succession and exit planning is just about selling a business. It is a strategic process designed to maximize value, reduce risk, and prepare both the business and the owner for a successful transition, whether that transition involves passing the business to ...

Contractors may recall that FMCSA published an interim final rule regarding non-domiciled CDLs on September 29, 2025. The interim final rule was temporarily paused by the United Sates Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on November 10, 2025. Three days later, the same court granted an emergency motion for a stay pending appeal. FMCSA subsequently conducted formal notice-and-comment rulemaking. After receiving and reviewing comments, FMCSA published a final rule on non-domiciled...

On March 24, 2026, RC Kelly Law will participate in the Pennsylvania School Bus Association’s (PSBA’s) annual Legislative Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. Each year, RC Kelly Law and contractors from around the Commonwealth participate in this event to advocate for legislative support on issues that affect the school bus industry. Contractors who have not participated in this event previously should consider attending. Below, we briefly discuss why advocacy is crucial to the school bus in...

As school bus operators know, managing employees is no easy task. When employee disciplinary issues arise, many school bus operators get stumped on what type of discipline is appropriate. In response to more frequent or severe performance issues or misconduct, school bus operators may feel they have no choice but to terminate the employee; however, some employers may recognize that termination is not always risk-free. In these circumstances, a last chance agreement can be used as an alternative ...

When a school bus driver fails a drug or alcohol test, refuses to submit to required testing, or otherwise violates U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing regulations, a specific regulatory framework governs driver and employer obligations. Federal regulations require such drivers participate in the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program before they return to safety-sensitive duties. 49 C.F.R. §40.285(a). For school bus operators, understanding how this process works, and what ...

Snowstorms, extreme cold, and other weather-related events continue to affect school operations across Pennsylvania. In response, school districts often cancel in-person instruction, move instruction to a virtual format, or revise school calendars in ways that result in transportation services being suspended. Since Act 56 became law in 2023, schools have more flexibility to make school calendar changes that reduce transportation contract revenue days. What do your transportation contracts say a...

If you’ve ever talked to a banker, investor, or potential buyer, chances are you’ve heard the term EBITDA thrown around. It sounds technical, but the idea behind it is actually pretty simple—and very useful for business owners. EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. In plain English, it’s a way of measuring how much money your business generates from its core operations, before certain financial and accounting factors are taken into account. Think ...