HB 1745 Arkansas House · 2025 Regular Session

TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDERS TO POSSESS A UNITED STATES WORK AUTHORIZATION; TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY; AND TO CREATE RELATED OFFENSES.

HB 1745, now Act 604, requires commercial drivers in Arkansas to possess valid U.S. work authorization (such as a work visa or Employment Authorization Document) and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, converse with the public, respond to officials, and complete vehicle records. It directly affects commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas who must meet these requirements to legally drive. Violations carry fines up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The law creates specific offenses for operating without required work authorization or English proficiency.

Issues: ✗ Immigration

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Mar 11, 2025 Signed Apr 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Act 604 → HB 1745 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from Act 604 to HB 1745, updating the header information and adding new eligibility criteria for commercial driver licenses. The changes include provisions allowing individuals with Canadian or Mexican commercial licenses to qualify if they hold valid work authorization, provided their licenses are not suspended or revoked.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes foreign commercial drivers from Canada or Mexico who have valid work authorization in Arkansas, expanding eligibility for commercial motor vehicle driver licenses.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility criteria for commercial drivers holding licenses from Canada or Mexico, requiring valid work visa or Employment Authorization Document under Arkansas law.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that foreign commercial licenses must not be suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified, and must not have out-of-service orders.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill header information from Act 604 to HB 1745 with revised session dates and formatting.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2025

Signed into law

Notification that HB1745 is now Act 604

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to the Committee on PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION- HOUSE

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned to the House as passed as amended # 1 .

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read the third time and passed.

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Introduced

Amendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 1

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Introduced

Filed

lower

2 primary · 17 co-sponsors