Bill
HB 1914
Arkansas bill: makes operating a CMV without sufficient English proficiency a statutory violation, potentially restricting drivers and increasing compliance duties.
Note: The provided document appears to conflate materials from two different state bills both labeled “HB 1914” (an Arkansas bill and an Illinois bill) and contains some inconsistent metadata (a title referencing franchisor warranty duties that does not match the text). This summary separates and summarizes the two distinct provisions appearing in the file and notes procedural history as reported.
Purpose
- To make operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) without sufficient English language proficiency a statutory violation under the Arkansas Motor Carrier Act.
Key provisions
- New statute 23‑13‑266 creates the offense “Operating a commercial motor vehicle without sufficient English language proficiency.”
- Applicability: a person who operates a CMV (as defined by 49 C.F.R. 390.5 as it existed on Jan 1, 2025) in Arkansas.
- Defined deficiency: inability to read or speak English sufficiently to:
- Converse with the general public;
- Understand highway traffic signs and signals in English;
- Respond to official inquiries in English;
- Make entries on reports and records.
- Penalty: treated as a violation subject to a fine under § 23‑13‑257 (statutory citation referenced; specific fine amounts not included in the text excerpt).
Who is affected
- Current and prospective commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas, including interstate and intrastate drivers who operate vehicles meeting the referenced federal CMV definition.
- Employers and motor carriers who hire drivers; compliance and training/testing obligations may increase.
Potential impact and legal considerations
- Safety rationale: proponents would argue improved communication with public and authorities and clearer ability to read signs/records.
- Workforce impact: could reduce the eligible pool of drivers, particularly non‑English speaking drivers, with potential consequences for carriers and supply chains.
- Federal preemption/consistency: CDL and CMV rules are extensively regulated federally (FMCSA/49 CFR); enforcement or qualification requirements may raise preemption or uniformity issues with federal CDL standards.
Procedural status (as reported)
- Introduced (filed) Jan 16, 2025. The document lists a series of committee and floor actions (committee reports, readings, engrossment). An entry notes the measure “Died in House at Sine Die adjournment” on 2025‑05‑05.
Purpose
- To allow commercial driver training schools to administer the CDL skills test to students who complete an approved commercial driver education course.
Key provisions
- New Section 6‑508.2 permits a commercial driver training school in Illinois to administer the CDL test to students who have successfully completed a commercial driver’s education course.
- Any testing must satisfy federal and state requirements, including referenced federal regulations (49 C.F.R. 383.75, 384.228, 384.229) and state Section 6‑508.
- Requires the Secretary of State to adopt implementing rules.
Who is affected
- Commercial driver training schools, students completing CDL education, and the Secretary of State (regulatory oversight).
- Potentially expands third‑party testing capacity and access to CDL licensing.
Procedural status (as reported)
- Filed Jan 29, 2025 (Rep. Bradley Fritts). The document shows referral and rule actions; an entry indicates the bill “Died In Committee” on 2025‑02‑26.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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