summary
Introduced
09/25/2025
09/25/2025
In Committee
10/13/2025
10/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens; amending s. 316.3026, F.S.; declaring the policy of the state with respect to the operation of commercial motor vehicles by unauthorized aliens; deeming a certain threat to be an imminent safety hazard; providing requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators; requiring sworn law enforcement officers with certain authority to take into custody persons determined to be unauthorized aliens operating commercial motor vehicles and facilitate the transfer of such persons into the custody of a federal immigration agency; requiring the impoundment and removal of a commercial motor vehicle under certain circumstances; requiring such sworn law enforcement officers to immediately provide certain notification and information to the Florida Highway Patrol; providing that motor carriers are liable for certain civil penalties; prohibiting the release of certain impounded commercial motor vehicles unless certain penalties are paid or bonds are posted and certain costs are paid; requiring the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement to issue certain out of-service orders; authorizing the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement to issue out-of-service orders to and impose civil penalties upon motor carriers under certain circumstances; providing that certain motor carriers are subject to certain penalties; requiring the approval of such out-of service orders by the director of the Division of the Florida Highway Patrol or his or her designee; providing the circumstances under which such out-of service orders may be removed; providing for the payment of certain penalties to the Chief Financial Officer, who shall credit the funds to the State Transportation Trust Fund for distribution to the Florida Highway Patrol to fund certain training and technology; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill declares the operation of commercial motor vehicles by unauthorized aliens, meaning individuals not legally permitted to work in the United States, as an imminent safety hazard, requiring operators to be lawfully present, possess a valid driver's license, understand English, and be able to communicate effectively with law enforcement. It mandates that sworn law enforcement officers take unauthorized aliens found operating commercial motor vehicles into custody and transfer them to federal immigration agencies, while also impounding the vehicle. The bill requires immediate notification to the Florida Highway Patrol, which will then issue an out-of-service order to the motor carrier, prohibiting their operations until violations are corrected and penalties are paid. Motor carriers are made liable for a $50,000 civil penalty for each instance of an unauthorized alien operating their commercial vehicle, and impounded vehicles will not be released until this penalty, along with towing and storage costs, are paid. The Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement is authorized to issue out-of-service orders and impose civil penalties on motor carriers who have allowed unauthorized aliens to operate their vehicles, or who have faced similar orders in other states. All collected penalties will be credited to a state trust fund to support training and technology for enforcing these provisions, and motor carriers subject to out-of-service orders will be afforded an administrative hearing.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Other Sponsors (1)
Transportation (Senate)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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