The Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission agreed to defer a disciplinary hearing involving B and T Transportation after the company's incoming counsel asked for a one-meeting postponement to review newly issued allegations.

Alex Dickerson of Thompson Burton, speaking for Rowdy Bus as the buyer that has contracted to acquire B and T, told the commission the violation letter — received about March 11 — alleges the company "did not have commercial liability insurance for a period of time" earlier this year. Ronnie Stevenson, who identified himself as the current owner of B and T Transportation, said he preferred to proceed immediately but acknowledged the commission's practice of honoring deferral requests in some circumstances.

Staff recommended deferral so the prospective owners could gather records and determine whether a violation occurred before defending at hearing. Commissioners discussed whether any disciplinary sanction could have practical effect if the company's ownership were changing; Metro Legal and staff noted suspension or revocation of operating permits could apply to current permit holders even amid ownership transfer, depending on the structure of the sale.

After discussion, a motion to defer the disciplinary matter to the May meeting carried. The commission instructed staff to place the item on the May agenda for a full violation hearing and to note the board's interest in receiving ownership-transfer documents and insurance history as part of the hearing record.