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HB 1914

TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER ACT, 1955; AND TO REQUIRE AN OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wayne Long

HB 1914 aimed to require English proficiency for commercial vehicle operators in Arkansas to enhance road safety and communication but died in committee.

Died in House at Sine Die adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 1914

Summary of House Bill 1914

Bill Number: HB 1914
Title: To Amend the Law Concerning the Arkansas Motor Carrier Act, 1955; and to Require an Operator of a Commercial Motor Vehicle to Have English Language Proficiency
Status: Died in House at Sine Die adjournment
Introduced: March 31, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1914 aimed to amend the Arkansas Motor Carrier Act of 1955 by introducing a requirement for operators of commercial motor vehicles to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The intent behind this legislation was to enhance safety and communication on the roads by ensuring that drivers can effectively understand and respond to traffic signs, signals, and official inquiries.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following key provisions:

  • English Language Proficiency Requirement:
    The bill defined a new offense for operating a commercial motor vehicle without sufficient English language proficiency. Specifically, it stated that a person would be in violation if they:

    1. Operate a commercial motor vehicle as defined under 49 C.F.R. 390.5T (as of January 1, 2025).
    2. Lack the ability 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 in English.

  • Penalties:
    Violating this provision would result in a fine as outlined in § 23-13-257 of the Arkansas Code.

Affected Parties

The bill would primarily affect:

  • Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators:
    All individuals operating commercial vehicles in Arkansas would need to demonstrate English language proficiency, impacting both current drivers and new applicants seeking to obtain commercial driving licenses.

  • Public Safety:
    The legislation aimed to improve overall road safety by ensuring that drivers can effectively communicate and understand critical information while on the road.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 31, 2025: Bill filed.
  • April 1, 2025: The bill was read for the first time, rules were suspended, and it was read a second time before being referred to the Committee on Public Transportation - House.
  • April 3, 2025: The Committee recommended the bill do pass.
  • May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress further in the legislative process.

Conclusion

While HB 1914 sought to address an important aspect of road safety through language proficiency, it ultimately did not advance beyond the committee stage. The discussion surrounding this bill highlights ongoing concerns regarding communication and safety in the operation of commercial motor vehicles in Arkansas.

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

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