Immigration - As enacted, creates certain offenses for a person who is unlawfully present in the United States to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state and a direct employer of such person; requires the law enforcement agency of an officer who arrests a person who is unlawfully present in the United States to operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state to ensure that federal immigration authorities are notified; creates related civil actions for persons injured by an unlawfully present person's operation of a commercial motor vehicle. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 50.

HB 1706 would make it a serious misdemeanor for someone without legal immigration status to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Tennessee. It also requires law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities when arresting such individuals and holds employers strictly liable for injuries caused by undocumented drivers operating commercial vehicles. The bill creates civil penalties of at least $1 million for employers or state officials who knowingly allow or issue licenses to undocumented drivers, and allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the state (known as "qui tam" actions). This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants working in commercial driving, employers, and state licensing officials, with no provisions for enforcement or implementation details yet.