TN SB1758The bill allows school bus drivers in Tennessee to skip an annual physical and mental exam if they can show they have a valid medical certificate from a certified examiner. This certificate must confirm that they are medically fit to drive a commercial vehicle. The change aims to streamline the process for bus drivers and local school boards.
TN SB1758 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Ferrell Haile (R), currently “Enrolled” since March 19, 2026.
We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 129 of them sponsored by Ferrell Haile.
Supporters of the bill argue that it simplifies the requirements for school bus drivers, making it easier for them to maintain their certifications. They believe this will help retain qualified drivers and ensure that schools can provide consistent transportation for students without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
Critics of the bill contend that it undermines safety by allowing bus drivers to bypass comprehensive health evaluations. They worry that relying solely on a certificate from a medical examiner could lead to situations where unfit drivers are permitted to operate school buses, potentially endangering students.
The analysis of SB1758, which pertains to school transportation and the medical qualifications of school bus drivers, reveals no direct conflicts of interest between the sponsor, Ferrell Haile, and the bill's subject matter. Haile's primary occupation as a pharmacist and his ownership of Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe do not align with the transportation industry or the specific regulations concerning school bus drivers. Additionally, his various board memberships and ownership interests in properties and farms do not intersect with the legislation focused on school transportation and driver qualifications. As such, there are no evident financial incentives that would benefit him directly from the passage of this bill.
Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.
| Type | Description | Industry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupation | Pharmacist | Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | TN Legislature bio |
| Business Owner | Owner of Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe | — | AI-researched |
| Board Member | Board Member of Sumner Regional Medical Center | — | TN Legislature bio |
| Employer | HAILE FARMS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS. | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | STEVE FREEMAN FARMS | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Employer | 2005 CAIRO RENTAL | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS. CO-OWNER from Jan 1992 to Apr 2026 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SUMNER COUNTY ANTIDRUG COALITION ADVISOR from Jan 2014 to Dec 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | WORLD CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING BOARD MEMBER from Jan 2006 to Jul 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | STATION CAMP CHURCH ELDER from Jan 2010 to Jan 2017 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | STATION CAMP CHURCH BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN from Jan 2017 to Apr 2022 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | APCI BOARD MEMBER from Jan 1992 to Apr 2016 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FIRE DEPT. PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD from Jan 1991 to Apr 2022 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Business Owner | CHRISTIAN TOWERS BOARD MEMBER from Jan 1992 to Jan 2014 | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | GEORGIAN MANOR APTS.; | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES | — | TN Ethics Commission |
| Asset | Leadership PAC: HAILEPAC | — | TN Ethics Commission |
Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.
About This Analysis
This summary was generated using AI from the bill's official text and metadata. Data sourced from LegiScan and the Tennessee General Assembly. Conflict analysis examines the sponsor's personal financial interests for potential overlaps with the bill's subject matter.
What does TN SB1758 do?
The bill allows school bus drivers in Tennessee to skip an annual physical and mental exam if they can show they have a valid medical certificate from a certified examiner. This certificate must confirm that they are medically fit to drive a commercial vehicle. The change aims to streamline the process for bus drivers and local school boards.
What is the status of TN SB1758?
TN SB1758 is currently “Enrolled” in the Tennessee legislature.
Who sponsored TN SB1758?
Ferrell Haile (R) sponsored TN SB1758.
