A bill recently introduced in Arkansas would crack down on non-citizens working as commercial truck drivers as well as the carriers that employ them.
On February 25, the Secure Roads And Safe Trucking Act Of 2025 (HB1569) was introduced in the Arkansas state legislature by Rep. Wayne Long, Sen. John Payton, and Rep. Jon Eubanks.
The bill seeks to implement the following provisions:
- Requires a domestic (issued by the U.S., District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in order to operate a commercial vehicle in Arkansas. Truck drivers with a B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 combination visa would be banned from operating a commercial vehicle in Arkansas. Penalties for violation include impoundment of the commercial vehicle and a fine of $5000 for the commercial vehicle operator. Canadian commercial driver license reciprocity would no longer be recognized under the provisions of the bill.
- Requires commercial vehicle operators to demonstrate English language proficiency sufficient to:
(1) Read road signs and warning signs; (2) Understand traffic control devices; and (3) Communicate effectively in an emergency with: (A) Emergency services; (B) Law enforcement; and (C) Other drivers. Operating a commercial vehicle without proficiency in the English language could result in a fine of $5000. - Establishes the offense of “criminal use of a commercial vehicle” if a non-citizen without a U.S.-issued CDL “causes the bodily harm of another person while operating a commercial motor vehicle.” The offense is a Class D Felony that comes with a minimum 6 month prison term.
- If a non-citizen without a U.S.-issued CDL is operating a commercial vehicle and causes a fatal crash, they can be convicted of a Class B Felony with a minimum 10 year prison sentence.
- Penalizes trucking companies that provide commercial vehicles to ineligible operators with a fine of $10,000.
The bill also establishes a public safety emergency that would allow it to go into effect immediately upon passing.
HB1569 has been referred to the House Committee on Public Transportation.