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HB 1745

Modifies the minimum wage and overtime administrative complaint process, establishing additional requirements for employees filing certain employment complaints

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Miller

HB 1745 would require foreign-issued CDL holders to show valid EAD or work visa and English proficiency to operate CMVs, with penalties for false docs or lack of authorization.

Referred: Commerce(H)
#employees-employers #laborandindustrialrelations #departmentof #laborandmanagement #salaries
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Bill Summary · HB 1745

Summary — HB 1745 (95th General Assembly, 2025)

Status: Died in conference (introduced Jan 7, 2025)

This summary covers the substantive provisions originally carried in HB 1745 (as engrossed 3/19/25 and amended), related fiscal notes, and key procedural actions. Note: during committee consideration the bill's text was repeatedly amended (including a committee substitute that would have replaced the bill with a large appropriation for a state's Medicaid division). Ultimately the bill died in conference on 2025-03-29.

Main purpose and intent

HB 1745 was designed primarily to:
- Require certain holders of foreign-issued commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to possess U.S. employment authorization while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on state roadways;
- Create criminal offenses for presenting false foreign CDLs and for operating a CMV without required employment authorization; and
- Require CMV operators to demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency.

Key provisions

  • Definitions

    • “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD) is defined as USCIS Form I-766 (a federal “work permit”).
    • “Public record” includes licensing documents issued by U.S. jurisdictions and certain foreign governments (where reciprocal arrangements exist).

  • Documentation / reciprocity (as amended)

    • Operators must hold either:
    • A valid domestic CDL or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) issued by a U.S. state/territory/DC/Puerto Rico; OR
    • A CDL (not CLP, by later amendment) issued by Canada, Mexico, or another qualifying jurisdiction recognized by FMCSA — and must possess a valid EAD or valid work visa while operating a CMV.
    • The House Amendment H1 removed language that would have allowed foreign-issued CLPs paired with an EAD; the engrossed/amended version limited foreign-document acceptance to full CDLs.

  • Offenses and penalties

    • Presenting a false foreign commercial driver license: Class D felony.
    • Operating a CMV without proper documentation (i.e., without EAD or valid work visa in immediate possession): generally a Class D felony.
    • If the operator proves by a preponderance of evidence that they had been issued a valid EAD or valid work visa but did not have it in their possession at the time, the offense is reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.
    • English-proficiency requirement: CMV operators must be able to converse with the public, understand traffic signs/signals in English, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports/records. Failure is a civil violation: fine up to $500 first offense; $1,000 for second/subsequent offenses.

Who is affected

  • Drivers holding foreign-issued CDLs (especially from Canada, Mexico, or other FMCSA-qualified jurisdictions).
  • Commercial carriers who employ or contract with such drivers.
  • State motor vehicle offices, driver services staff, and State Revenue/OMV personnel (for implementation, training, and enforcement).
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors (new criminal offenses).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • State Department of Finance and Administration fiscal notes indicate no direct fiscal cost from the policy itself.
  • Administrative actions required: updates to OMV manuals and DFA websites, staff training (State Revenue Office, Office of Driver Services, OMV), and taxpayer/community notification.
  • Time for implementation: described as adequate.

Procedural / timeline highlights

  • Filed: Jan 7, 2025. Multiple House and Senate readings and amendments in March–April 2025.
  • Key amendments: H1 (removed foreign CLP allowance); Senate Amendment added an English-proficiency section and broadened “proper documentation” language. A later committee substitute replaced the bill text with an appropriations measure for a state Medicaid division (large-dollar appropriation language), reflecting significant text changes during the process.
  • Final disposition: Died in conference (3/29/2025).

If you want, I can prepare a concise one-page fact sheet for employers and drivers that explains the documentation requirement, penalties, and next steps for compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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