News & Insights

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 industry, and tips for how you can better prepare to advocate effectively.

Nowadays, many are tuned in to the happenings of the federal government. Yet, for school transportation contractors, state government decisions often have as much or more of an impact on their day-to-day operations. For example, CDL administration, transportation funding, school bus equipment specifications, and traffic laws and enforcement are all topics that affect transportation contractors, but are often established through state legislation and regulation. State advocacy is both reactive and proactive. By engaging with state lawmakers, you can promote legislation that is beneficial to association members, and can also help counter potentially harmful legislation before it starts gaining too much momentum. Contractors should realize that state and local lawmakers often rely on the expertise of those in an industry within their community, and so contractor participation and insight is extremely valuable. The more contractors engage with their state and local members, the more school bus issues are visible on a larger scale.

Contractors who have participated in PSBA Legislative Day in the past know the importance of preparation and being able to convey your message simply and effectively. For those participating this year, it is recommended that you rehearse talking points and practice tying these talking points to a specific ask. Contractors should also leverage any data, as well as their own anecdotal information, that they may have on any applicable topic. While PSBA will distribute a specific list of legislative topics to address at the upcoming Legislative Day as we get closer to the event, contractors are encouraged to review current hot topics as well as those that were discussed during the previous Legislative Day. For example, HB 1326 is a house bill that would require schools to report data that will be used to update the school transportation subsidy formula to address changes that have arose since the transportation formula was created over 50 years ago. Last year, PSBA advocated in support of this bill, and it is has since passed the house and is currently in the senate education committee. Additionally, SB65 increases penalties and education related to the PA illegal school bus passing law. PSBA also advocated in support of this bill last year, and it has since passed the senate and is currently sitting in the house.

School transportation contractors who have not participated in PSBA Legislative Day are encouraged to attend. The last day to register is March 17, 2026. Contractors can click here to sign up. Contractors who are attending should be mindful to come prepared and ready to advocate on behalf of the school bus industry here in Pennsylvania. If you would like to discuss potential talking points or have any questions on above, please contact us at 215-896-3846 or email help@rckelly.com.