Modifies commercial driver's license requirements for foreign applicants
HB 2741 requires commercial drivers applying for a license to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete reports. It makes operating a commercial vehicle without this proficiency a class D misdemeanor (first offense) or class B misdemeanor (repeat), with fines up to $1,000 for drivers and $3,000 for carriers. Drivers must achieve proficiency before operating commercially again, and carriers face penalties for employing non-compliant drivers. The bill directly affects foreign applicants and commercial drivers seeking or holding licenses in the state. It modifies existing requirements to add language proficiency as a mandatory qualification for commercial driver's licenses.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026
Last action May 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
House Committee Substitute
→
Perfected
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to align with federal motor carrier safety regulations and significantly increased penalties for drivers who fail to meet English language proficiency requirements. The offense now carries a class D felony for a third or subsequent violation, up from a class B misdemeanor, and the bill now establishes four new sections instead of two.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include new sections 302.738 and 302.739, which were not present in the previous version.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement that English language proficiency standards must be interpreted consistently with applicable federal motor carrier safety regulations.
ENFORCEMENT
Increased the penalty for a third or subsequent offense of operating a commercial vehicle without sufficient English proficiency from a class B misdemeanor to a class D felony.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill's title and section count to reflect the addition of two new sections (302.738 and 302.739) that were inserted into the text.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
10
Committee
11
Apr 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public Hearing Scheduled (S) - Monday, May 4, 2026, 2:00 p.m., Senate Committee Room 1 - 1st Floor
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Second read and referred: Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety(S)
upper
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 104 NOES: 22 PRESENT: 22
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 5 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Referred: Fiscal Review(H)
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Perfected with Amendments (H) - HA 1, adopted
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Adopted (H)
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 3 PRESENT: 0
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 1
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred: Transportation(H)
lower
Jan 6, 2026
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carolyn Caton
RRepublican
Co
Deanna Self
RRepublican
Co
John Hewkin
RRepublican
Co
Mitch Boggs
RRepublican
Co
Tricia Byrnes
RRepublican
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