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Subcommittee approves cleanup to align CDL medical rules with federal law
Summary
HB 1546 deletes an intrastate restriction that prevented insulin‑treated diabetics from interstate commercial driving, bringing Tennessee into conformity with federal qualifications so medically qualified drivers can obtain commercial licenses for interstate routes; committee voted 8‑0 to advance.
Representative McCallum explained an amendment and presented HB 1546 as a cleanup bill to bring Tennessee law into compliance with federal standards. The change removes a state restriction that prohibited insulin‑treated diabetic drivers from interstate travel even when federal medical standards permit interstate operation, a mismatch that created staffing challenges for school districts whose bus routes cross state lines.
"By deleting that subsection, these diabetic drivers are no longer in the restricted category," the sponsor said, adding the amendment incorporated Department of Safety feedback. Committee members supported the cleanup; the subcommittee voted unanimously to move the bill to the full Transportation Committee.
