Bill > HB1914

This bill amends the Arkansas Motor Carrier Act to establish new requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators regarding English language proficiency. Specifically, the bill creates a new offense where a person operating a commercial motor vehicle (as defined by federal regulations) can be penalized if they cannot sufficiently read or speak English to perform key communication tasks, including conversing with the public, understanding highway traffic signs, responding to official inquiries, and completing necessary reports and records. The language proficiency standard applies to vehicles defined under federal regulation 49 C.F.R. 390.5T as of January 1, 2025, and violations will be subject to fines under existing state motor carrier law. The bill aims to ensure that commercial vehicle operators have the minimal language skills necessary to safely operate their vehicles and interact with officials, potentially addressing safety concerns related to communication barriers in commercial transportation.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1914&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R