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Committee adopts amendment adding work-visa and English-proficiency requirements for some commercial drivers; opponents warn of enforcement gaps
Summary
House Bill 1745 was amended in committee to require a valid work visa and English proficiency for certain foreign commercial drivers; proponents said the change targets fraudulent CDLs and improves safety, while opponents argued the provisions are toothless and could legitimize unvetted drivers operating on visitor visas.
Representative Hawk presented an amendment to House Bill 1745 that adds a requirement for a valid work visa and English proficiency for foreign commercial drivers on Arkansas roadways. The committee adopted the amendment after debate.
Shannon Everett, chairman of American Truckers United, testified in opposition, arguing the amendment “falls far short” of the stricter protections some groups sought and could allow drivers operating on visitor B‑1 business visas and other non‑employment documents to continue to operate. Everett said the change “opens the door to unvetted B‑1 tourists and business visitor visas” and called the English‑proficiency requirement “toothless” without an enforcement mechanism.
Representative Hawk and other supporters said the measure targets fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses and seeks to improve vetting prior to entry into the United States. Hawk noted that the change aligns Arkansas with actions taken in other states, referencing Texas adopting a similar approach in a recent session. “All we’re saying is before you enter into The United States, you gotta contact the federal government and and get this documentation,” Hawk said, adding the intent is to crack down on fraudulent CDLs from Mexico.
Supporters moved to adopt the amendment and then for passage of the amended bill. The amendment passed on a voice vote after discussion; Representative Hawk moved for a favorable vote on the amended measure and the committee approved the amendment and recommendation to pass on voice votes.
Committee discussion touched on enforcement questions, including how the state would hold nonresident drivers accountable for English‑proficiency violations and how identification and vetting would be checked at entry or during enforcement actions. Opponents warned that fines and sanctions are difficult to collect from nonresidents and that the amendment could institutionalize existing federal loopholes rather than close them.
